Gerard Craughwell (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I call on the Leader to arrange as quickly as possible a debate on the current state of law and order. I live in the peaceful suburbs of south County Dublin. Recently, I attended a meeting called by Deputy Ross. A senior member of An Garda Síochána was also present. Deputy Ross invited members of the public to speak. A young lady stood up and asked the most dangerous and risky question I have ever heard, in that she asked anyone at the meeting whose home had been broken into in recent times to raise a hand. Every single hand in the hall was raised, my own included. I had a beautiful, restored Honda 50 motorcycle taken from outside my door at 6.20 p.m. I live on the busiest road in my area. The Luas stop is five minutes' walk from my house. To get from there to any house in my estate, one must pass mine. As thousands of people were passing it on their way home from work, blackguards walked away with my motorcycle.

On Saturday evening, I was watching television when I heard banging. It was 7 p.m. and people were coming home from shopping. Two guys were at my next door neighbour's house trying to kick the front door down. The boot marks are still there for anyone who wants to see them.

The Garda closed its station in Stepaside some years ago and law and order is at the level of anarchy. Opportunists hit three houses in a row. My estate is not the only one suffering. Any Senator could relate similar examples.