Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I agree with the Deputy's comment that when something like this happens, particularly when an elderly person is living at home, there is fear about it. There is an onus on all of us to make sure that we do not exaggerate or create a greater fear. Something like this is rare. It is horrifying and terrible for the people it happens to and we need to make sure that those who perpetrate it are brought to justice. We also need to make sure that we speak to our communities, that older people do not feel vulnerable in their homes and that there is communication within An Garda Síochána in local areas to make sure that it links in with those who are vulnerable and living on their own.

In that regard, the more gardaí we have in our divisions and the more we have out policing, away from desk duties, the more they can engage with people on the ground. Again, since 2015, 800 gardaí have been freed up because of the introduction of civilian staff. That has been hugely successful. I have mentioned the figures. A reduction in the number of reports of burglaries to just over 6,000 last year is a significant reduction, and we can refer that back specifically to Operation Thor. There is always more we can do, however, and there is an onus on us as public representatives to reach out to our communities and to make sure that where there may be a lack of information or engagement on the ground, we play our part. I stress, however, that these incidents are rare. We need to make sure we do not create a fear out there because it is very difficult for those who are living on their own in particular.

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