I propose to take Questions Nos. 38 and 260 together.
I am informed by the Garda authorities that the following table shows the number of murders in which firearms where used in respect of each year from 1998 to 16 May 2005.
As the Deputy is aware, the Director of Public Prosecutions is statutorily independent in the performance of his function and it would, therefore, be inappropriate for me to comment on his decisions. Furthermore, judges are independent in the exercise of their judicial functions and subject only to the Constitution and the law. It would therefore be inappropriate for me to comment on their decisions also.
Murders involving Firearms 1998 to 16 May 2005.
|
Year
|
Recorded
|
Detected
|
Proceedings Commenced
|
Convictions
|
|
1998
|
4
|
3
|
2
|
1
|
|
1999
|
12
|
7
|
7
|
5
|
|
2000
|
11
|
6
|
5
|
2
|
|
2001
|
9
|
4
|
2
|
2
|
|
2002
|
10
|
4
|
4
|
2
|
|
2003
|
20
|
8
|
4
|
1
|
|
*2004
|
9
|
6
|
5
|
1
|
|
*2005
|
8
|
1
|
1
|
0
|
*Figures for 2004 and 2005 are operational and liable to change.
I am informed by the Garda authorities that murders involving the use of firearms tend to have lower conviction rates than other murders. This is not unique to Ireland. The number of violent deaths, murder and manslaughter, recorded in 2004 is 45, the lowest number recorded in ten years, despite our population increasing by 400,000 during the same period.
