Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Wednesday, 7 Feb 2001

Vol. 530 No. 1

Written Answers. - Joyriding Incidents.

Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform (Mr. O'Donoghue)

The offence of unauthorised taking of a mechanically propelled vehicle is a criminal offence under section 112 of the Road Traffic Act, 1961, as amended. I have been assured by the Garda authorities that the provisions of the Road Traffic Acts, 1961 to 1993, are adequate to deal with situations where persons use or take possession of mechanically propelled vehicles without the consent of the owner.

Moreover, section 41 of the Road Traffic Act, 1994, provides the Garda Síochána with the powers to stop and seize vehicles believed to be driven by underage drivers, who by reason of their age are ineligible to hold a driving llicence and insurance.

Details of prosecutions and convictions for the years 1997 to 1999 for the unauthorised taking of mechanically propelled vehicles are as follows:

Year	Number of Prosecutions	Number of Convictions
1997	2,539	1,969
1998	2,526	1,929
1999	3,221	2,357

Although comprehensive statistics for the year 2000 are not yet available in published form, I am informed by the Garda authorities that the number of incidents of car theft reported in the Dublin metropolitan region in the first ten months of 2000 shows a reduction of 9% compared to the same period in 1999.

So-called joyriding is a complex problem which can only be tackled meaningfully and to lasting effect through a multifaceted and multi-agency response involving both the community and relevant statutory bodies.

From the perspective of the criminal justice system, the Garda Síochána are operating special foot and mobile patrols targeting specific areas in response to identified local requirements. All vehicles, the subject of unauthorised takings, are technically examined when recovered and known offenders are targeted for these offences. Each division also has a traffic unit which, outside of peak traffic hours, targets incidents of joyriding and the enforcement of the Road Traffic Acts. I understand that special plain clothes patrols, which concentrate on identifying cars that could be seized under section 41 of the Road Traffic Act, 1994, are showing some success. The Garda Air Support Unit has also been particularly effective in this area. In 1999, the unit assisted in the recovery of 62 stolen vehicles and the arrest of 226 persons.

Persons serving sentences for persistent offences are not granted temporary release except in the most exceptional circumstances.

Moreover, the Garda Síochána and local auth orities are working together in relation to estate management and are actively reducing the opportunities for joyriding. For example, physical changes, such as barriers and speed ramps, are being used to reduce access to areas frequented by young persons engaged in these activities.