Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 10 December 2020
60. Deputy Maurice Quinlivan asked the Minister for Justice if she will report on the ongoing delays in the scheduling of court sittings for alleged drug and other serious offences in Limerick city and the way in which this is impacting on crime in the city. [42436/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Deputy will be aware that current public health guidelines limit the numbers of people that can circulate in indoor venues and court buildings are no exception to this. In addition to enhanced cleaning, people traffic management and sanitisation facilities, arrangements have been put in place to ensure social distancing in courthouses to ensure the safety and wellbeing of the public. In order to manage the numbers of people attending courthouses, court lists have been staggered so as to prevent overcrowding. The net effect is that, regrettably, fewer cases can be listed every day to ensure that maximum attendance levels in courthouses are not exceeded.
In relation to Limerick District Court, I am informed that there are no significant delays in scheduling serious crime in Limerick in the District Court. There was no scheduling for a period of time (March-September) due to COVID-19 restrictions which led to a significant backlog of over 7500 cases to be scheduled for a court date. When the Courts started scheduling again in September, priority was given to serious matters including cases of assault, firearms/offensive weapons, and drugs offences followed by dangerous driving and careless driving. These are now scheduled into dates in January to March of 2021.
I can inform the Deputy that there is ongoing contact between officials from the Department of Justice and An Garda Síochána to ensure a proactive approach is taken to target those involved in the drugs trade which fuels the activities of organised criminals. I am assured that the occurrence and prevalence of crime and anti-social behaviour, including drug dealing, is constantly monitored at national and local level by Garda management to ensure that appropriate policing responses are designed and delivered as appropriate.
The Garda National Drugs and Organised Crime Bureau has lead responsibility in tackling all forms of drug trafficking and the supply of illicit drugs in Ireland and is supported by Divisional Drugs Units, which tackle drug related crime on a local basis throughout the country. I am informed that Divisional Drug Units are now established in every Garda Division.
An Garda Síochána also remains committed to tackling the supply of drugs by supporting local communities through various preventative and detection initiatives and engagement with local and regional Drug and Alcohol Task Forces; the Garda Youth Diversion Programme and Projects; the Garda Schools Programme; the Joint Policing Committees and Community Policing For a.
An Garda Síochána has had significant successes in targeting the drugs trade. In 2020 alone we have witnessed a series of very significant drugs seizures, as well as important seizures of firearms and significant banking information. In fact, An Garda Síochána Annual Report 2019 has been published this week and I note that An Garda Síochána successfully seized over €21m in drugs, prevented 14 assassinations and seized 18 firearms in 2019.
The Deputy will be aware that the Central Statistics Office (CSO), as the national statistical agency, is responsible for the compilation and publication of all crime statistics. The CSO produces these statistics using data recorded on An Garda Síochána’s PULSE system and makes regular releases under reservation in relation to various crime statistics, including recorded and detected crime. The CSO also continues to work with An Garda Síochána to address quality issues in the underlying sources used to compile the statistics. I can inform the Deputy that the official crime statistics from the CSO for the third quarter of 2020 are due to be published later this month and I look forward to reviewing these once available.
While the most recent crime statistics for the year to Q2 2020 showed an increase of 13.5% in controlled drugs offences in comparison to the preceding year, it should be acknowledged that this is reflective of the increased number of Gardaí on the frontline and the concentrated work of the Garda National Drugs and Organised Crime Bureau.
