Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)

Everyone was shocked during the week at the death of Mr. Paddy Barry, an elderly pensioner in Waterford, following a burglary in his home. We all wish to sympathise with his family. Out of respect for them and because I understand a file is being sent to the Director of Public Prosecutions, I do not wish to focus on that individual case. However, it brings into focus the fear and apprehension experienced by many elderly people, particularly those who are living alone, in the face of the kind of anti-social behaviour such as groups of youths who are out of control and criminal activity. Many are afraid in their own homes and in their communities. This fear would have been added to during the week by reports that one in seven of the prison population is now out on temporary release, a total of 600 prisoners who have been sentenced to various terms of imprisonment and who are now out and about, largely because the Government has made a mess of the provision of prison places.

In that context I recall in my own constituency the closure five years ago of Shanganagh prison. This was a facility for young male offenders which was closed down by the Government. I would ask the Government to reopen it but it would be unable to do so because it sold the prison to a developer. It was reflected in last night's "Prime Time" programme that one of the measures which reduces fear for people who are living alone, particularly elderly people, is a visible presence of gardaí, particularly in their local community.

The McCarthy report recommends the closure of half of the Garda stations in the country, the closure of approximately 350 small Garda stations. I understand there are 22 such stations in the Tánaiste's own county. I have one simple question for the Tánaiste which I think might go some way towards alleviating people's fear. Will she give the House an assurance that those 350 Garda stations will not be closed, that the recommendation will be rejected and that there will not be closure of the small Garda stations throughout the country?

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