Written answers

Tuesday, 6 November 2012

Department of Justice and Equality

Garda Investigations

Photo of Finian McGrathFinian McGrath (Dublin North Central, Independent)
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To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality the reason the Gardaí did not take a complaint of anti-semitic intimidation seriously, according to an internet blog which has received international attention (details supplied); if he will confirm that the Gardaí received these complaints; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47339/12]

Photo of Catherine MurphyCatherine Murphy (Kildare North, Independent)
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To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality further to Parliamentary Question No. 427 of 2 October 2012, if he will provide an update on the report he has requested from the Garda Commissioner; his plans regarding the growing problem of online abuse, bullying and harassment which is frequently conducted through social media; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47821/12]

Photo of Alan ShatterAlan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 772 and 787 together.

I have been informed by the Garda authorities that local Garda management in the area referred to are unaware of any incident reported to Gardaí of the kind referred to in the Deputies' questions. I want to make it clear that I have been assured by the Garda authorities that if the incident referred to is reported to them it will be fully investigated, as would any such reports, in accordance with relevant legislation and having regard to the Garda Diversity Strategy which encourages victims to come forward to report race and hate crimes.

There are significant provisions in the Criminal Law in place which Gardaí may utilise in relation to investigations in this area. In particular, the Prohibition of Incitement to Hatred Act 1989 was enacted to prohibit incitement to hatred on account of race, religion, nationality or sexual orientation. Furthermore, section 10 of the Non-Fatal Offences against the Person Act 1997 provides that any person who, without lawful authority or reasonable excuse, by any means including by use of the telephone, harasses another by persistently following, watching, pestering, besetting or communicating with him or her, shall be guilty of the offence of harassment. In addition, section 5 of that Act makes it an offence for any person, without lawful excuse, to make to another a threat, by any means intending the other to believe it will be carried out, to kill or cause serious harm to that other or a third person.

Any complaint of alleged on-line abuse, bullying or harassment is fully investigated by An Garda Síochána. The Garda Síochána Computer Crime Investigation Unit is available to assist local Garda officers in the investigation of alleged offences. Bullying in any form may amount to an assault or harassment and I therefore urge anyone subjected to bullying of whatever variety to contact the Gardaí.

I can also inform the Deputies that assistance is available from a number of sources to help those affected by cyberbullying. The Safer Internet Ireland project is coordinated by the Office for Internet Safety in my Department. The body now called Technology in Education under the remit of the Professional Development service for Teachers (formerly known as the National Centre for Technology in Education) participates in the project. It operates www.webwise.ie which provides advice and information to parents and teachers. The ISPCC and the National Parents Council (Primary) also participate. Both organisations offer assistance through their confidential telephone helplines on how to deal with cyberbullying. The Office for Internet Safety itself supplies very useful guides, including "A Parents Guide to Social Networking Sites" and "A Guide to Cyberbullying".

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