Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 31 May 2005
402 Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if his attention has been drawn to the increase in muggings and assaults in the Thomas Street-Francis Street-Meath Street areas of Dublin 8; and the steps he will take to tackle this problem. [18386/05]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am informed by the Garda authorities that the areas referred to by the Deputy are regularly patrolled by uniform and plain clothes gardaí from Kevin Street station, with a view to ensuring a concentrated and visible presence in the area. I understand the policing consists of high visibility patrolling by uniformed gardaí, detective units, the divisional crime task force, the special resource unit, the Garda mountain bike unit, the drugs unit and the community policing unit. I am also informed that current policing plans in the area are predicated on the prevention of public order offences, the prevention of crime, including crimes of violence against persons and crimes against property, and the maintenance of an environment conducive to improving quality of life of the residents. This strategy is, and will continue to be, central to the delivery of a policing service to the area in question.
405 Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if his attention has been drawn to the continuing open drug dealing on the Ballyfermot Road; and the action he intends to take to address this problem. [18390/05]
Amharc ar fhreagra406 Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if his attention has been drawn to the open drug dealing in the Thomas Street-Francis Street-Meath Street areas; and the action he intends to take to address this problem. [18391/05]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 405 and 406 together.
As the Deputy will be aware, operational matters are an issue for the management of the Garda Síochána. I am informed by the Garda authorities that the local drugs units responsible for the areas mentioned carry out searches on suspects identified as being involved in drug activity and that a number of successful detections and prosecutions have been made. I am further informed that the Ballyfermot Road is patrolled on an ongoing basis by community gardaí and the national drugs unit. The divisional task force also carries out patrols in the area.
The gardaí in this area utilise Operation Clean-Street to target drug dealers operating at street level and have had considerable success in this regard. This operation is co-ordinated by the Garda national drugs unit and is run in conjunction with personnel based in local drugs units.
With regard to the Deputy's question concerning the Thomas Street-Francis Street-Meath Street areas, I am informed by the Garda Síochána that the policing of these areas is carried out by officers based at Kevin Street station and consists of patrolling by uniformed gardaí, detective units, the divisional crime task force, the special resource unit, the Garda mountain bike unit and the community policing unit. The district drugs unit at Kevin Street station also constantly patrols these areas.
407 Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if his attention has been drawn to the increased vandalism on buses in the Dublin 10 area. [18392/05]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am aware that there have been some incidents of vandalism on buses in the Dublin 10 area and I understand that the Garda Síochána is working closely with Dublin Bus on this matter.
408 Mr. Allen asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the details of the headline offences recorded and detailed for each of the districts within the Cork metropolitan area and Cork county area in the years 1997, 2000 and 2004. [18435/05]
Amharc ar fhreagraIt has not been possible to compile the information requested in the timeframe allowed. I will arrange for the information to be forwarded directly to the Deputy at the earliest possible opportunity.
