I am informed by the Garda authorities that the following table shows the total number of murder offences where a firearm was used, recorded, detected, proceedings commenced and convictions for the years 1998 to 2005 and up to 1 October, 2006.
While no level of murder is acceptable, it should be noted that Ireland has one of the lowest murder rates in the western world. For example, the homicide rate in Glasgow, a city of comparable size to Dublin, is 5.5 per 100,000 of the population. The comparable figure for Dublin in 2005 is 1.7 per 100,000. The rate of murder/manslaughter in Ireland in 1995 was 1.47 per 100,000 of the population. The comparative figure for 2005 is 1.41 per 100,000 of the population. A wide range of provisions to combat gun crime were introduced in the Criminal Justice Act, 2006.
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. I am assured by the Garda Commissioner that the highest priority is given by An Garda Síochána to the investigation of murders and the detection of those responsible.
As the Deputy is aware, the Director of Public Prosecutions is statutorily independent in the performance of his functions. Furthermore, judges are independent in the exercise of their judicial functions, subject only to the Constitution and the law. It would therefore be inappropriate for me to comment on their decisions.
Total number of Murder Offences where a Firearm was used (Recorded, Detected, Proceedings Commenced and Convictions) for the years 1998 to 2005 and up to 1st October, 2006*
|
Recorded
|
Detected
|
Proceedings Commenced
|
Convictions
|
|
2006* (up to 1st October)
|
16
|
6
|
4
|
0
|
|
2005
|
21
|
4
|
2
|
1
|
|
2004
|
9
|
8
|
5
|
3
|
|
2003
|
20
|
10
|
4
|
2
|
|
2002
|
10
|
5
|
4
|
3
|
|
2001
|
9
|
6
|
2
|
2
|
|
2000
|
12
|
7
|
6
|
2
|
|
1999
|
12
|
7
|
6
|
2
|
|
1998
|
4
|
3
|
2
|
1
|
*Figures are provisional, operational and liable to change.
