Written answers
Tuesday, 2 February 2010
Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform
Crime Levels
12:00 pm
George Lee (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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Question 365: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if his attention has been drawn to the fact that gardaà in Dublin South are telling victims of burglary that there has been an increase in burglaries due to the fact that criminals are looking for gold to sell in the many cash-for-gold establishments (details supplied) that have sprung up recently; if this is taking place nationwide; the strategy in place to combat this; his views on ensuring that persons must provide proof of ownership before being allowed to claim this cash for gold; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4579/10]
Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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Neither my Department nor An Garda SÃochána have any function in relation to the regulation of legal transactions in gold. Furthermore, the informal purchase of gold is not specifically regulated in criminal legislation.
I have not been informed of any increase in burglaries due to the fact that criminals are looking for gold. However, I will keep this matter under review.
However, if members of the public have suspicions that goods being sold or traded may have been stolen, the correct action is for these suspicions to be referred to An Garda SÃochána for investigation.
An Garda SÃochána enforce the provisions of the criminal law in respect of theft and robbery, including theft and robbery of jewellery and precious metals. While the informal purchase of gold is not specifically regulated, the circumstances under which gold is being bought or sold may indicate the commission of certain offences, for example the handling of stolen property and or the possession of stolen property, which are offences under sections 17 and 18 of the Criminal Justice (Theft and Fraud Offences) Act, 2001 respectively.
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