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Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Wednesday, 3 Oct 2001

Vol. 541 No. 2

Written Answers. - Crime Levels.

Nora Owen

Ceist:

104 Mrs. Owen asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of public order offences which have occurred to date in 2001; the number of persons prosecuted for such offences; and the special measures which are in place to reduce the level of such offences. [22305/01]

Denis Naughten

Ceist:

158 Mr. Naughten asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the action he is taking to address street crime. [21855/01]

Alan Shatter

Ceist:

937 Mr. Shatter asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of public order offences which have occurred to date in 2001; the number of persons prosecuted for such offences; and the special measures which are in place to reduce the level of such offences. [22285/01]

Bernard J. Durkan

Ceist:

964 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if his attention has been drawn to the ongoing problem and increased incidents of street violence; if his attention has further been drawn to the need to address this issue; his plans in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22506/01]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 104, 158, 937 and 964 together.

Deputies will be aware that since I took office there has been an unprecedented decrease in the level of serious crime as represented in the figures for indictable offences. However, I have also been concerned to ensure that we tackle the problem of the less serious non-indictable offences. That is the category into which most public order offences fall. I emphasise that while the offences in question are categorised traditionally as less serious, I am well aware of the scourge which this type of behaviour can cause in our communities.

This is why one of my priorities has been a major crackdown on this type of crime. We can have no tolerance for the criminal activities of those who show no respect for other members of the community. Primarily, this has involved increased targeted activities by members of the Garda Síochána. I am glad to tell the House that the Garda authorities have provided some statistics for the period October 2000 to May 2001 which indicate the success of the national public order policing initiative. The terms "public order offences" and "street violence" do not correspond to a specific set of clearly defined offences. However, the bulk of the offences in question would be covered by the Criminal Justice (Public Order) Act, 1994, and the Intoxicating Liquor Act, 1988.

In the period in question, some 50,984 offences, mainly of a non-violent nature, were detected by the Garda Síochána under various provisions of the Criminal Justice (Public Order) Act, 1994, and the Intoxicating Liquor Act, 1988, as amended. The bulk of this figure comprises 22,382 detections for intoxication in a public place; 15,011 detections for threatening, abusive or insulting behaviour; 6,231 detections for failure to comply with a Garda direction; and 5,594 detections for disorderly conduct. It is important to make the point that, in analysing statistics in relation to public order offences, increased activity by the Garda has a bearing in relation to the number of offences recorded. The nature of some of these offences, such as intoxication in a public place, is such that they would be unlikely to be recorded unless detected by the Garda. Thus, the number of detections by the Garda constitutes a significant success on its part in responding to public concern about personal safety and security through targeted policing measures at specific hotspots of disorder.
In relation to the details of these measures, the Garda Síochána's Operation Oíche has been deployed in cities and large towns since October 2000. I am informed by the Garda authorities that, as part of this operation, each divisional officer compiled an operational plan which incorporated all initiatives and operations to combat public order problems and illicit drug use. I am further informed that additional plans to focus on public intoxication and underage drinking were also developed.
The Garda authorities consider the operation to have been highly successful to date. Since its introduction, there has been a more visible Garda presence on the streets, particularly at the closing times of licensed premises and nightclubs. In this regard, the Garda Síochána continues to visit licensed premises to impress an even greater awareness on the licensees of their responsibilities. I am further informed that, in Dublin, the new Dublin Corporation by-laws prohibiting the consumption of intoxicating liquor on public streets have proven very effective.
In relation to offences committed by juveniles, I am confident that the Children Act, 2001, which was signed into law on 6 July 2001, will constitute a significant response to addressing the behaviours and needs of out-of-control young people. In particular, the Act contains specific provisions in relation to the responsibilities of parents, such as the requirement on parents to take measures to remedy whatever it is that has caused them to lose control of their children. On a related note, I am continuing to oversee a dramatic increase in the number of Garda youth diversion projects, from 12 in 1997 to 52 at present, with more to follow.
Moreover, as the Deputies may be aware, the Intoxicating Liquor Act, 2000, significantly strengthened the provisions against the sale or supply of intoxicating liquor to underage persons. To complement this, the age card scheme, which I launched last year, allows any person who has attained 18 years of age to apply for an age card at his/her local Garda station in order to confirm that he or she has attained the legal age for the purchase of intoxicating liquor. In addition, my Department, in conjunction with other State agencies, is considering the recommendations of the Garda Síochána's Garda youth policy advisory group report which constitutes an important contribution to addressing the multi-faceted problem of alcohol abuse among young people.
I can also inform the Deputies that the national crime council is undertaking a major research project in relation to public order offences, which should significantly enhance the information available to us about the nature and patterning of this problem. The main statutory framework relating to public disorder and street violence, as set out in the Non-Fatal Offences Against the Person Act, 1997, the Criminal Justice (Public Order) Act, 1994, the Firearms and Offensive Weapons Act, 1990, and relevant drugs legislation are being kept under continual review by my Department.
I am satisfied that the responses of my Department and the Garda Síochána to the issue are comprehensive and appropriate and I am satisfied that they are producing and will continue to produce positive results.
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