Vol. 577 No. 4
269 Mr. Morgan asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the action he proposes to take to provide a Garda presence in villages such as Castlebellingham and Kilsaran, County Louth; the initiatives his Department can take to deal with the very high level of anti-social and drug crime in those two villages; and when the residents can expect some action to end the scourge of crime they currently endure. [31656/03]
I am informed by the Garda authorities which are responsible for the detailed allocation of resources to individual areas, that the Kilsaran and Castlebellingham areas are policed by Castlebellingham Garda station.
Castlebellingham, Kilsaran and Dromiskin are areas of residential development, which have grown at a very fast rate. Consequently, local Garda management have arranged for a change in Garda shifts, particularly in the mid-Louth area. This change has resulted in a greater availability of Garda resources particularly on Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights.
I understand in recent months there have been a number of anti-social incidents in the Kilsaran and Dromiskin areas. A number of youths have been made amenable for this anti-social behaviour and were brought before Drogheda District Court.
Garda management will continue to keep the needs of Garda stations in County Louth under constant review within the overall context of the needs of Garda stations throughout the country.
