Jimmy Deenihan (Kerry North, Fine Gael)

A serious anti-social behaviour problem exists in Tralee town, County Kerry. In 2004, 800 arrests were made in Tralee for public order offences and the trend has continued in 2005. In 2001, I carried out a crime survey in Tralee and up to 88% of parents who responded expressed concern that their sons or daughters might be assaulted when out at night in Tralee town centre. These parents' fears have not been allayed. Recently, a local member of the Garda Representative Association highlighted the need for additional gardaí in Tralee following public order incidents over the Hallowe'en bank holiday weekend when teenage thugs targeted elderly people and children in Kerins Park and other residential areas. The member of the association claimed that Tralee needed at least 12 extra gardaí and that otherwise a member of the force may be killed or seriously injured on duty because of inadequate back-up.

In 1996 the population of Tralee town was 19,056. Garda numbers in 1997 amounted to 76, representing all ranks. In 2002, the population was 20,375 while Garda numbers increased to 86. The current population of the town is approximately 27,000 people, an increase of 32.5% since 1996. However, Garda numbers remain at 86, an increase of only 14% since 1996. In this period, the population has increased by more than 8,000 people, including non-nationals and asylum seekers.

Gardaí have more duties and responsibilities, and have to be meticulous when writing up reports in order that they will stand up in court. We are dealing with a more violent society than ten years ago. The CCTV system is not working to its full capacity, posing additional problems for the Garda when securing convictions in court because of the lack of supporting evidence.

Today, representatives of the Tralee Taxi Drivers Association travelled to the Dáil to outline their concerns at what is happening in the town. There have been several attacks on taxi drivers ranging from minor to life-threatening abuses. They outlined one incident where a knife was held to a taxi driver's throat and he was subsequently robbed. The thug involved was later allegedly involved in a rape case in the town and, to my knowledge, is still on the streets. They outlined to the Minister of State at the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform, Deputy Fahey, that street violence at the weekend is rapidly increasing. Juvenile thugs walking the streets are highly dangerous and intimidating, and generally parents and guardians are unavailable when needed and cannot be contacted.

The representatives of the association presented 22 questions to the Minister of State for a response, and I hope the replies will soon be forthcoming. I call on the Minister of State to immediately increase Garda numbers in Tralee to deal with the escalating problem of anti-social behaviour and other crimes. CCTV systems must be made fully operational, as it is a technical matter.

The responsibility of crime control must be shared across society in a proactive way. We depend exclusively on the Garda to protect us. A local consultative policing committee must be established in Tralee by the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform as a pilot project. It can include nominees of the Health Service Executive, Tralee Urban District Council, Kerry education service, community and sporting organisations, the Garda chief superintendent and the three community gardaí. This would ensure responsibility for crime control is effectively shared across the community in a proactive way. The three local Members accompanied the representatives of the Tralee Taxi Drivers Association who met the Minister of State. This gives a clear message that this is problem affects every sector of the community in Tralee.

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