Written answers

Wednesday, 31 January 2007

Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform

Homicide Offences

8:00 am

Photo of Richard BrutonRichard Bruton (Dublin North Central, Fine Gael)
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Question 238: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of homicides in the State involving the use of firearms from 1 June 2002 to 1 December 2006; the number of the homicides involving firearms committed during this period that have resulted in successful convictions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43852/06]

Photo of Michael McDowellMichael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)
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I am informed by the Garda authorities that the following table shows the numbers of murder offences recorded where a firearm was used and the numbers of detections, proceedings commenced and convictions in respect of those murders between 1 June, 2002 and 1 December 2006. It is anticipated that the number of convictions obtained will increase as the number of proceedings commenced are finalised by the courts.

Operation Anvil is central to the strategy of the Garda Síochána in combating serious crime and in particular murder. The Operation, which commenced in the Dublin Metropolitan Region in May, 2005 and was subsequently extended nationwide at my request, has proved to be very successful in disrupting the criminal activities of a number of key criminal gangs. It has resulted in a number of high-profile arrests and the acquisition of intelligence on the movements of criminals. Notable improvements have been achieved in the recorded number of incidents of crime being targeted by the Operation. In particular, I am pleased to note the increase of 34% in detections of possession of firearms in the fourth quarter of 2006 which I believe has contributed to the reduction of 3.4% in discharges of firearms. I believe that Operation Anvil has also contributed to the increase in that quarter of detections of offences of possession of drugs for sale or supply which is closely associated with many murders using firearms.

In addition to the introduction of Operation Anvil, the Garda Commissioner in November 2005 augmented the Organised Crime Unit at the National Bureau of Criminal Investigation with an additional 55 Garda members to address the problem of criminal gang activity. Enforcement by the Unit has resulted in further firearms being seized and a number of persons arrested, thereby disrupting their criminal activities. There has also been an increase in Garda monitoring and targeting of individuals and groups involved in armed crime in particular. In December last, the Commissioner allocated an additional 20 officers to the Bureau.

A wide range of provisions to combat gun crime were introduced in the Criminal Justice Act, 2006. With effect from 1 November, mandatory minimum sentences, of between five and ten years, came into effect for certain firearms offences, including possession of a firearm in suspicious circumstances, possession of firearm with criminal intent, possession of a firearm with intent to endanger life or cause serious injury to property, possession of a firearm while hijacking a vehicle, and use or production of a firearm to resist arrest.

Recent events, particularly the deaths of wholly innocent members of the public caught up in internecine gangland conflict, have made it tragically clear that what has been achieved already must be built on so that we can protect our society from the dangers in our midst. A Government can have no greater priority than the safety of its people and it is against that background that we have taken a series of decisions which involve a comprehensive programme of measures to ensure that the full resources of the State are brought to bear as never before against the activities of those who have showed a callous disregard for the rule of law.

On 19 December last, the Government agreed my proposals for an unprecedented package of measures which includes:

A further increase of 1,000 in the strength of An Garda Síochána to bring the total to 15,000 over the next three years;

Sanction for 300 additional civilian administrative support posts for An Garda Síochána;

The recruitment of the 7 senior civilian posts recommended in the recent reports from Kathleen O'Toole and Maurice Hayes;

An increase in the retirement age for Gardaí, Sergeants and Inspectors from 57 to 60;

A proportionate increase in the targeted strength of the Garda Reserve from 900 to 1500;

Increased staffing for the Forensic Science Laboratory, the office of the Director of Public Prosecutions and the Courts Service;

No limit on funds available for the Witness Protection Programme.

I will shortly be putting legislative proposals to Government. I am informed by the Garda authorities that murders involving the use of firearms tend to have lower conviction rates than other murders. This is not unique to Ireland. I am assured by the Garda Commissioner that the highest priority is given by An Garda Síochána to the investigation of murders and the detection of those responsible.

Number of Homicide Offences where a Firearm was Used (Recorded, Detected, Proceedings Commenced and Convictions) from 1 June 2002 to 1 December 2006
RecordedDetectedProceedings CommencedConvictions
2006* (up to 1 December)20740
200521421
20049854
2003201142
2002 (from 1 June)5321
* Figures are provisional, operational and liable to change.

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