Charles Flanagan (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)
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Question 744: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of murders recorded in 2004; the number of prosecutions which have taken place arising from these murders; the number of convictions which have been secured; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31398/09]

Charles Flanagan (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)
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Question 745: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of murders recorded in 2005; the number of prosecutions which have taken place arising from these murders; the number of convictions which have been secured; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31399/09]

Charles Flanagan (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)
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Question 746: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of murders recorded in 2006; the number of prosecutions which have taken place arising from these murders; the number of convictions which have been secured; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31400/09]

Charles Flanagan (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)
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Question 747: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of murders recorded in 2007; the number of prosecutions which have taken place arising from these murders; the number of convictions which have been secured; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31401/09]

Charles Flanagan (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)
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Question 748: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of murders recorded in 2008; the number of prosecutions which have taken place arising from these murders; the number of convictions which have been secured; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31402/09]

Charles Flanagan (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)
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Question 749: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of murders recorded to date in 2009; the number of prosecutions which have taken place arising from these murders; the number of convictions which have been secured; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31403/09]

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 744 to 749, inclusive, together.

I am informed by the Garda authorities that the following table sets out the number of murders recorded, proceedings commenced and convictions from 2004 to 2008 and in 2009 up to 14 September. Figures provided are provisional, operational and liable to change. The detection rate for murders by its nature increases over time as Garda investigations progress. It is expected that over time the number of convictions obtained will increase as Garda investigations are concluded and proceedings commenced are finalised by the courts, as there are inevitably time lapses between the commencement of a criminal investigation, proceedings being commenced and convictions secured. This applies particularly to murders committed in the most recent years. In addition, directions may be received from the Law Officers to charge persons arrested in connection with such incidents with offences other than murder. Furthermore such persons charged and brought before the courts may be convicted of offences other than murder.

Charles Flanagan (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)
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Question 750: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of knife or similar bladed weapon murders recorded in each of the years from 2004 to date in 2009 in tabular form; the number of prosecutions which have taken place arising from these murders; the number of convictions which have been secured; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31404/09]

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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I am informed by the Garda authorities that the following table contains the number of cases of murder which involved the use of a knife, proceedings commenced and the number of convictions secured from 2004 to 2008 and in 2009 up to 14 September.

As the Deputy will be aware, these statistics come with a 'Health Warning' and are easily misinterpreted for the following reasons: The detection rate for murders by its nature increases over time as Garda investigations progress. It is expected that in respect of each year the number of convictions obtained will increase as Garda investigations are concluded and the number of proceedings commenced are finalised by the courts. This applies particularly to murders committed in the most recent years. In addition, directions may be received from the Law Officers to charge persons arrested in connection with such incidents with offences other than murder. Furthermore such persons charged and brought before the courts may be convicted of offences other than murder.

Legislation on the use of knives and similar weapons is extremely robust and heavy penalties are in place. The Garda Commissioner last year made recommendations in relation to knives and sharply pointed or bladed weapons, and subsequently the Criminal Justice (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2009 was enacted. The maximum penalty for possessing a knife in a public place has been increased from one to five years, and An Garda Síochána have been given an extended power of search without warrant in relation to knives and offensive weapons.

In tandem with the new legislation, samurai swords have been banned from importation and sale, though exceptions have been made for collectors and martial artists. Last February, the Garda Commissioner and I launched a Knife Awareness Campaign by An Garda Síochána to inform and educate young people on the dangers of carrying knives and with the aim of reducing the number of incidents of knife crime.

Charles Flanagan (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)
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Question 751: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of firearms murders recorded in each of the years from 2004 to date in 2009 in tabular form; the number of prosecutions which have taken place arising from these murders; the number of convictions which have been secured; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31405/09]

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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I am informed by the Garda authorities that the following table contains the number of cases of murder in which a firearm was used, proceedings commenced and the number of convictions secured from 2004 to 2008 and in 2009 up to 10 September.

As the Deputy is aware, these statistics by their nature, carry a significant health warning. The detection rate for murders by its nature increases over time as Garda investigations progress. It is expected that in respect of each year the number of convictions obtained will increase as Garda investigations are concluded and proceedings commenced are finalised by the courts. This applies particularly to murders committed in the most recent years. In addition, directions may be received from the Law Officers to charge persons arrested in connection with such incidents with offences other than murder, for example firearms offences. Furthermore such persons charged and brought before the courts may be convicted of offences other than murder.