Dinny McGinley (Donegal South West, Fine Gael)

I thank the Leas-Cheann Comhairle for allowing me to raise this important and serious matter.

It is not alarmist to state that Lifford has fallen victim to a crime wave. In recent weeks, there has been a spate of criminality, most notably a succession of fires of a suspicious nature, with property damage estimated at more than €1 million and six houses burned out. On top of these arson attacks, criminal incidents have included the desecration of a graveyard, a number of armed robberies, cars burned out, a shooting, a stabbing and a litany of incidents of anti-social behaviour.

It is quite clear that the crime problem in the area has escalated in recent times and the mostly law-abiding local residents must be fearful for their safety. Because Lifford is a Border town, some of the incidents are cross-Border intrusions and the criminals perpetrate their attacks and simply retreat back across the Border. As Lifford Garda station does not operate on a 24-hour basis, these criminals believe they can operate with impunity. The answer is obviously an increase in Garda numbers to tackle this very worrying growth in criminal activity.

The present total Garda strength in Lifford is approximately 12 to 13 personnel. Not alone must they cover the Lifford station area but they must also give cover to the sub-station areas of Castlefinn, Raphoe and Carrigans. These stations are only open a limited number of hours daily. This means that outside the hours of 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Lifford station is more often closed than open. Such a situation creates a vacuum which certain people are only too willing to exploit.

Until recently, Lifford Garda station had a complement of upwards of 50 gardaí and this was as a result of the security situation across the bridge in Northern Ireland. Very few towns in County Donegal or indeed in Ireland, had a more visible Garda presence than Lifford. Since the cessation of paramilitary operations in Northern Ireland, Lifford Garda station has been drastically downgraded to its present strength. There are so few gardaí on duty with such a huge area to cover that there is a virtual breakdown of communications between the local population and the Garda authorities. What is the point in going to the Garda station to report a crime when there is no one there to whom to report it?

The criminal incidents in Lifford in recent times are not of a minor nature, being in the first category of violent crime. Arson is a serious crime because not alone is property destroyed, there can also be loss of innocent lives. The same goes for armed robbery. The people in Lifford feel isolated, vulnerable and exposed to these attacks.

There have been incidents of desecration of holy places, personal attacks with the intent of injuring or maiming, the burning of cars, shootings, stabbings and other anti-social behaviour that cannot and should not be tolerated. The majority of the population of Lifford abhor and condemn these acts. Condemnation is one thing but prevention is another. Garda numbers in Lifford Garda station must be increased to a strength where the station can be open on a 24-hour basis. There can be no short cuts.

I appeal to the Minister, the Government and the Garda authorities to address this escalating crime situation before it gets out of hand. Prevention is better than cure. This matter must be addressed urgently. The business community in Lifford feels vulnerable and unprotected. No one can predict when the next armed hold-up will take place. So far it is fortunate there has been no loss of life but where firearms are used, anything can happen. It is better to act now than to wait until it is too late.

Lifford is a good town with good people. It is the administrative capital of County Donegal and it is an historic town. We are proud of its architectural and administrative heritage. We owe it to the residents of the town and its hinterland to end this spate of criminality before it gets completely out of hand. I appeal to the Minister, the Minister of State and the Government to address this problem and to ensure the Garda station in Lifford has the personnel to provide a 24-hour presence so criminality can be addressed before it gets out of hand.

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