Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 176: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of robberies in the past two years in which hostages were taken to assist in the robbery; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22217/06]

Michael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)
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I am informed by the Garda authorities that the figures relating to robberies involving hostages are not readily available and are currently being researched. They will be forwarded to the Deputy as soon as they are available.

I am further informed, however, that there were 51 incidents of false imprisonment offences recorded in 2005 and 46 in 2004. These figures relate to incidences where a person has been detained against his or her will, including situations where a robbery is taking place.

It should be noted that false imprisonment differs from hostage taking in that hostage taking requires a person to be detained for the purpose of compelling another person to abstain from, or to complete, a task so as to assist offenders in committing a crime.