Tony Gregory (Dublin Central, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 231: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of persons each of whom has been prosecuted on more than one occasion for public drinking or drunkenness in the Smithfield area of Dublin 7 to date in 2006. [13695/06]

Tony Gregory (Dublin Central, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 232: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of persons who are regularly arrested or charged with public drinking or drunkenness in the Smithfield area of Dublin 7; and the strategy the Garda Síochána have for dealing with this problem. [13696/06]

Michael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I propose to take Questions Nos. 231 and 232 together.

I am informed by the Garda authorities that in 2005 eight persons were arrested and charged on more than one occasion for drunkenness offences under the Criminal Justice (Public Order) Act 1994 in the Bridewell Garda district, which includes Smithfield.

In 2006, up to 3 April, three persons have been arrested and charged on more than one occasion for similar offences.

I have also been informed by the Garda authorities that the Bridewell Garda district has recorded two persons for committing public drinking offences contrary to the local authority by-laws on more than one occasion. The local authority has been advised of their personal details to allow on-the-spot fine notices to be issued by it. If these fines are not paid, it is a matter for the local authority to commence proceedings.

The figures provided are provisional, operational and liable to change.