Tony Gregory (Dublin Central, Independent)
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Question 128: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if the Garda authorities at the Bridewell, Dublin 7 will provide a report regarding their apparent failure over a five-hour period to respond to calls for assistance by a person (details supplied) in Dublin 7; if the report will state the subsequent action taken by the gardaí to apprehend those responsible for the extensive damage, vandalism and intimidation at the complex; if the persons alleged to have been responsible have been questioned by the gardaí; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26088/05]

Michael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)
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I have received a report from the Garda authorities on the matter raised by the Deputy. I am informed that records at the Garda communications centre, Harcourt Square, indicate that the first call relating to the location in question was made by 999 call at 19.46. This was from a female caller who reported a disturbance at the location and stated that a window had been broken. At the same time another call was received at the centre from a female caller with a foreign accent reporting a disturbance at the same location. She provided a contact mobile telephone number. This information was collated with the information already received. At 19.48 the original caller contacted the 999 service at the communications centre and stated that the disturbance had ceased, that the landlord had evicted the people concerned and not to send anyone to the location. As a result, the request for assistance was cancelled and no Garda unit was dispatched to the location.

At 22.15 gardaí at the Bridewell Garda station were first made aware of criminal damage at the premises when a complainant called to the station and reported it. A patrol car was dispatched to the scene and, upon arrival, the gardaí noted damage to the glass on a number of apartment doors. The investigating gardaí have been in contact with the complainant and have requested additional information.

I am informed that the incidents of criminal damage at the location are currently under active investigation by the gardaí.