Tony Gregory (Dublin Central, Independent)
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Question 264: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform further to Parliamentary Question No. 137 of 14 December 2006, if there were further serious sexual assaults in the same Garda district to the end of 2006; and the number of convictions in each category. [1209/07]

Michael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)
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I am informed by the Garda authorities that there was one additional incident, of sexual assault, between 14 and 31 December, 2006.

Local Garda management is aware of the increase in such offences being reported and have directed that additional high-visibility beat and mobile patrols by uniform and plain-clothes Gardaí be carried out. Relevant information regarding known offenders for sexual offences is regularly circulated to personnel within the Division. All offences reported to the Garda authorities in the Division are being actively investigated.

I am further informed that Garda management has met a number of stakeholders, including representatives of local property management companies, residents and tenants, and provided personal crime prevention advice. The meetings also discussed other preventative measures, including CCTV systems and appropriate lighting, that can be put in place to prevent this type of criminality.

I am advised by the Garda authorities that the information provided by them to enable me to reply to Parliamentary Question No. 137 on 14 December, 2006 was incorrect in respect of the figures for 2006 of the number of offences of indecency recorded and detected. Instead of nil offences recorded and detected there were 8 offences recorded and 5 detected. The error is regretted.

Since 14 December, 2006, there was one further detection in respect of a rape of a female in 2005, thereby increasing the number of detections to 8.