Peter Fitzpatrick (Louth, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the opportunity to contribute to today’s debate. Crime, as we all know, is a major problem in our society today. We have all read about and seen on TV the latest gangland murders. Even though it is primarily the gangland murders in Dublin that grab the headlines, it should be noted that crime affects every community throughout the country, including my constituency in County Louth. Over the past five years, Fine Gael, despite the desperate financial situation left by the previous Government, attempted to maintain and in many cases succeeded in maintaining a fully resourced and functioning Garda presence.

Fine Gael's response to crime is focused on two main areas: investment in more gardaí and vehicles, and strengthening the law to get tougher on serious and repeat offenders. The Minister and her predecessor, Deputy Shatter, introduced much legislation that was badly required, particularly in the areas of burglary and bail reform. Targeting repeat burglars, the Criminal Justice (Burglary of Dwellings) Act 2015 will require that the District Court provide consecutive jail sentences where the burglar is being sentenced for multiple offences. More importantly, the new legislation will also allow the courts to refuse bail to offenders who have a previous conviction for domestic burglary coupled with two or more pending charges

With respect to bail reform, it has been accepted that there is a need to modernise and streamline our existing bail laws. With this in mind, the Minister published the general scheme of a new bail Bill last year. This new Bill will not only improve the operation of the bail system but also prove more effective in protecting our citizens and their property against crimes committed by people who are on bail. The reforms in the new Bill include a provision whereby the courts must give reasons for bail decisions, new powers for the Garda of arrest without warrant for breach of bail conditions, and the power for the District Court to refuse bail where there is an appeal against a sentence of imprisonment imposed by that court. The new Bill will also place clear requirements on the courts in considering bail applications. They will be obliged to have regard to the fact that a person has persistently committed serious offences while on bail and to hear evidence from the victim of a crime before a bail decision is made. The bail Bill will also make provision in respect of electronic tagging. While there are some concerns about this, it is recognised that careful use of electronic tagging can be very effective in ensuring that bail conditions are met.

Operation Thor was launched last November, facilitated by a special allocation of €5 million. It included a broad range of activities such as additional high-visibility patrols in targeted areas, increased use of checkpoints to tackle criminal gangs using the national road network, the use of new high-powered vehicles by the armed regional response units, increased efforts to disrupt the stolen goods market, and targeted crime prevention advice for communities. In my constituency of Louth there is a large rural community and rural crime is a big issue. Operation Thor has proved very effective in combatting rural crime in Louth, and I know from a recent meeting of the local policing forum that crime figures in the area have declined since its introduction. My constituency has seen its fair share of gun crime in the past few years, including the murders of two serving gardaí, Adrian Donohoe and Tony Golden. I knew both men and their murders had a profound effect not only on their families but also on the wider community. Their murders have not been solved, and I look forward to one day seeing the people who committed these horrible crimes face the courts and serve their remaining days behind bars.

Whilst I am delighted to see the many improvements brought in by the Minister for Justice and Equality, Deputy Fitzgerald, in respect of legislation, I believe we must do more. I call on the Minister to maintain the extra Garda presence in Louth that was introduced in the aftermath of the murder of Garda Tony Golden. This extra presence has proved very effective in reducing crime in County Louth. I have noticed a much-increased Garda presence in Dundalk and the rest of the county, and many constituents have commented on this. I am also calling for extra Garda resources in the mid-Louth area, including Ardee. The extra resources needed for this district are three sergeants and eight gardaí.

I welcome the opportunity to speak today and look forward to hearing other Members' contributions.

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