John Gormley (Dublin South East, Green Party)
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Question 501: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if his attention has been drawn to the huge increase in house break-ins and vandalism of cars north of South Circular Road and Harrington Street in the Dublin South-East constituency; if he has discussed this issue with the Garda Commissioner; the steps that are being taken to deal with this serious increase in crime; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31805/05]

Michael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)
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The area referred to is policed by gardaí from Kevin Street station and consists of patrolling by uniformed gardaí, the detective unit, the divisional crime task force, the crime prevention unit, the community policing unit, the Garda mountain bike unit and the district drugs unit.

While there is an increase in the number of burglaries committed in the Kevin Street Garda district, there is an overall decrease in headline crimes of thefts from mechanically propelled vehicles and criminal damage to mechanically propelled vehicles for the past six months of 2005 in comparison to the same period in 2004. The Garda is targeting known offenders who are suspected to be engaging in the type of criminal activity referred to. Any breaches of the criminal law detected by the Garda are followed by swift action in dealing with offenders. I am assured that local Garda management is ensuring a concentrated and visible Garda presence is maintained in the area.