Martin Ferris (Kerry North, Sinn Fein)

Crime is a growing concern in all parts of the country and my county is no exception. While the crime that makes the headlines concerns large-scale drug seizures and murders that are often carried out by gangs involved in the drugs trade, many people are more concerned by petty crime and anti-social behaviour, much of which is fuelled by drug and alcohol abuse. Although people may argue about levels of crime and reporting of crime, it appears to be accepted generally that many people, for whatever reason, do not report certain types of crime. Sexual and anti-social crime are among the categories less likely to be reported. Moreover, there is no generally accepted reason for people's failure to report crime. Do they believe there is less likelihood of the perpetrators being caught and dealt with or do they fear that a person who reports a crime will be subject to further abuse? This appears to be the most significant factor in respect of anti-social crime, whereby people live in fear of the minority in their neighbourhoods. I cannot recall the number of times I have encountered people who, having caught people red-handed in burglaries or other types of anti-social behaviour, have then made statements to the Garda. However, once the thugs in question become aware of this development, they threaten to burn the victims' cars, break their windows and so forth, thus forcing the victims of crime to withdraw their statements.

This problem is ongoing and I also am aware that in certain cases, gardaí have advised people not to make statements or to persevere with them, for fear of what might happen to them as a result of the actions of such thugs. Any Deputy who is being honest will have experienced similar cases. I have seen this at first hand in Tralee and know how badly affected individuals and families can be by such behaviour. I refer to the fear factor, namely, the thugs, or small minority of people who terrorise entire communities by their actions.

It can be extremely difficult to deal with this problem. This often involves attempts by local authorities to have those responsible moved. However, the fear factor also comes into play when making a complaint to local authorities, going into court and substantiating that complaint as such thugs and blackguards are able to intimidate people into not proceeding with the case.

In respect of sexual crime, at present victims of sexual assault in County Kerry are obliged to travel to Cork or even to Waterford for medical treatment and examination. This places an unacceptable additional pressure on victims and must be addressed by providing a treatment unit in close proximity to individuals. I refer to the Tralee area, in which a general hospital contained a sexual treatment centre until three years ago. Although money was promised to put it back in place last year, we still await its restoration.

Undoubtedly, the drugs trade is a huge source of crime, both by feeding anti-social behaviour and as a motivation for many of the murders that take place. Thankfully, to my knowledge, County Kerry has not experienced that level of drug-related crime. However, there are indications that drugs have become more freely available and obviously that is associated with increased crime carried out both by those selling and those abusing drugs. I tabled some questions to the former Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform that elicited a response to the effect that the quantity of dangerous drugs being seized in County Kerry was increasing. While all seizures are to be welcomed, unfortunately there is also evidence of greater availability as the Garda itself admits that only a minority of drug movements are intercepted. I attended a meeting recently at which the gardaí involved in the drugs squad confirmed the strike rate was approximately 10%. In other words, 90% was getting in and being distributed in communities. I accept the gardaí involved are doing their best with the limited resources available to them.

I have more recent evidence that a substance known as crystal meths, which is a particularly potent amphetamine, is being sold in Tralee. Although this drug is not physically addictive, it leads to aggressive behaviour, which is a clear factor in street violence. I refer to personality changes in which a person becomes more violent and demanding to acquire that drug. It has also been suggested to me that this has had a tragic result for some individuals in the recent past. I do not know whether this is true and only time will tell. However, I have evidence regarding the availability of this drug, which has been referred to as the poor person's drug. It is available in small towns nationwide, as well as in Tralee.

Although heroin abuse once was unknown outside Dublin, it now poses a problem in many other towns. This is a consequence of well-organised gangs who target specific areas of population in the knowledge they are building up a market for their trade. The impact of heroin abuse may be seen in many towns, in which crime has escalated and health and welfare authorities face the problems arising from its effects. When drug gangs target towns such as Tralee, it is vital to provide the Garda with the resources to tackle the problem and to co-ordinate with the local communities that deal with the effects of drugs on a daily basis. It is also vital to invest resources in the provision of alternatives for young people to help drug abusers.

The level of Garda activity in Tralee and elsewhere in County Kerry is a matter that I, with other county representatives, have raised numerous times, including in direct meetings with the former Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform or with Ministers of State. As yet however, there is no decisive evidence that the issue has been addressed. While policing is not the only solution to crime, a greater Garda visibility is certainly a factor in crime prevention, particularly in respect of anti-social behaviour and drink-related violence in town centres at weekends. I was a member of a delegation of the taxi federation of Tralee that came to this building during the last Dáil. Although it met a Minister of State and secured promises to make available additional resources and so forth, nothing has been delivered. Taxi drivers provide the escape valve for many of the buildings in town centres by getting people home late at night and so on. Better Garda visibility on the streets would guarantee the type of crime originating in such locations would be dealt with speedily and would be greatly reduced.

I have welcomed the establishment of the joint policing committee in Tralee of which I am a partner, with two colleagues. Such a body can play an important role in ensuring there is close co-operation between the Garda and local representatives. In this manner, the concerns and views of communities can be brought to bear on the operations of the Garda.

Members cannot be defeatist in the face of a problem that affects the quality of life of many people and must ensure the Garda has the resources and strategy to combat organised crime. However, Members also must ensure that communities retain their cohesion as this is the best way to ensure that young people in particular do not become sucked into anti-social behaviour and drug abuse. This is the reason it is so important both that communities should have access to employment and good quality housing and that local sports and other community organisations should be allowed to thrive and provide outlets for people of all ages.

The Ceann Comhairle will be aware of a story that appeared on the front page of The Kerryman last week. A decent family had its house burned and targeted by a drug dealer not too far from this city. They came into the town because one member of the family owed money and they targeted his mother and father to extract up to €40,000 that the drug dealer claimed was owed to him for supplying drugs to this fellow.

Two young lads, aged 17 and 21, respectively, from where I live are currently in Cork Prison awaiting trial for an armed robbery. They have stated — it is on public record — they were trying to get money to pay back a drug baron from Limerick because they were in fear of their lives.

I am aware of where a person who resides not too far from where I live in the Ballymacelligot area, which is known also to the Ceann Comhairle, has ended up in hospital. He had his legs and hands broken and acid thrown over his face. This also was drug related.

All of these incidents are coupled together with the growing problem of the availability of crystal methylated spirits and heroin. I have had it confirmed as late as yesterday, from reporters who have contacted the Garda in Tralee, that heroin is available on the streets of Tralee. We never thought we would see the day. I raised the matter six years ago and brought to the attention of the Garda and the public that heroin was in Tralee, albeit only in maybe one or two incidences. Heroin and cocaine are the two major drugs in Tralee. The Garda management has been in denial for too long. The gardaí at the coalface are doing their best but they deserve the resources and support of communities, of elected representatives and of everybody to try to curtail this problem and ensure that it is brought under control.

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