Joanna Tuffy (Dublin Mid West, Labour)
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Question 56: To ask the Minister for Justice and Law Reform the number of occasions in 2007, 2008, 2009 and 2010 to date 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, having regard to the danger they pose; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43016/10]

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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I am informed by the Garda authorities that in 2010 (to 12th November) there have been 181 incidents involving suspected grenades, pipe-bombs or other improvised devices nationwide at which a Defence Forces Explosive Ordnance Device team has attended, with 196 such incidents recorded in 2009, 180 recorded in 2008 and 98 recorded in 2007. I am further informed that in respect of the incidents that occurred between 2008 to 2010 (to 12th November), a total of 27 cases are currently before the courts. In addition, a further 46 investigation files have been submitted to the DPP.

The use of explosive devices and firearms by criminal gangs is a matter of ongoing concern both to me and to the Garda Authorities. Garda strategies in counteracting these activities are very firmly focused on disrupting the criminal groups which are involved and, where sufficient evidence is available, proffering charges and bringing such persons before the Courts.

I have also put in place strong legislative measures to further strengthen the law dealing with those involved in criminal organisations. The Criminal Justice (Amendment) Act 2009 created the offence of directing or controlling a criminal organisation with a penalty of a maximum sentence of life imprisonment and increased the maximum penalty for the offence of participation or involvement in organised crime from 5 years to 15 years imprisonment. The Act also increased the penalty for witness and jury intimidation, provides for expert Garda opinion evidence on the existence and operations of criminal gangs to be admissible in evidence and provides for organised crime offences to be tried in the Special Criminal Court.

Other significant legislation introduced to target organised crime includes the Criminal Justice (Surveillance) Act 2009, which provides a statutory framework for evidence obtained by means of covert surveillance to be used in criminal trials, and the Criminal Justice (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2009 which further tightens the legislative provisions relating to guns and knives and similar weapons.