Mary Upton (Dublin South Central, Labour)
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Question 75: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of occasions in 2007, 2008, 2009 and to date in 2010 in which grenades, bombs or improvised explosive devices have been used; the number of occasions in each year when the gardaí called on the assistance of the Army ordinance unit to deal with such devices; the number of prosecutions initiated as a result of the discovery of such devices; his views on the increased use of such devices by criminal elements; the steps that are being taken to curb the use of such devices, particularly having regard to the danger that they pose to the public; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13017/10]

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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I am informed by the Garda authorities that the number of times the Garda Síochána called on the assistance of the Army's Explosive Ordnance Disposal team for the years 2007 to 2010 (to 19 March) are as set out in the following table.

I am further informed by the Garda authorities that the figures for the number of detections, proceedings commenced and convictions for the offences of making explosives, possessing explosives and causing an explosion for the years 2007 to 2010 are as set out in the following table.

*The figures for 2010 are to 21 March 2010 and are provisional.

Garda strategies in counteracting such activities are firmly focused on disrupting organised criminal groups and where sufficient evidence is adduced, proffering charges and bringing persons before the Courts. One of the priorities I have set for the Garda Síochána in 2010 is combating serious crime, in particular organised crime.

Operation Anvil is an important nationwide operation to deal with serious crime, including murder and other violent crime. The primary focus of this Operation is to target active criminals and their associates involved in serious crime by preventing and disrupting their criminal activity through extensive additional overt patrolling and static checkpoints by uniform, mobile and foot patrols, supported by armed plain clothes patrols.