Seán Kenny (Dublin North East, Labour)
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362. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality if he will instruct the Garda Commissioner to deploy a second public order van to the Temple Bar area over the Christmas-New Year season to tackle alcohol related crime; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52721/13]

Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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I am informed by the Garda authorities that the Dublin City Centre Policing Plan, which is a high visibility Policing Plan for the Dublin Garda Region including Dublin City Centre, has been operational since June 2013.

I am further informed that a specific plan is in place in the Dublin City area, including the Temple Bar area, which provides dedicated high visibility patrols on key thoroughfares at relevant times dictated by crime trends, footfall and demand led studies in the area. The plan includes the deployment of a dedicated Public Order Van each Friday and Saturday from 11am to 4am.

Under Operation Aughrim routine patrols, including dedicated plain clothes foot patrols, are assigned to the Temple Bar area and adjoining streets each Friday and Saturday night. Two Gardaí from the Community Policing Unit, Pearse Street Garda Station are assigned to the area and maintain liaison with the residents, businesses and other stakeholders. Ongoing consultation is maintained with the Temple Bar Traders association and the Dublin Business Improvement District (BID).

While the deployment of specific Garda resources is of course a matter for the Garda authorities, I am advised that the situation in the area is monitored on an ongoing basis. Local Garda Management closely monitors the allocation of all resources in the context of crime trends, policing needs and other operational strategies in the area to ensure optimum use is made of Garda resources, and the best possible Garda service is provided to the public.

Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry South, Independent)
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363. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality further to Parliamentary Question No. 158 of 20 November 2013, if he will provide an update on same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52731/13]

Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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I am informed by the Garda authorities that the incident referred to by the Deputy was fully investigated by An Garda Síochána.

I am further informed that this investigation led to the prosecution of 6 people, five of whom pleaded guilty on 27 September 2013 to an offence contrary to Section 4 of the Public Order Act 1994 and were ordered to pay €300 each to a charity and made subject to the provisions of section 1(1) of the Probation of Offenders Act. A sixth person failed to appear before the court and a bench warrant has been issued for his arrest.

The Deputy will appreciate I have no role in relation to the prosecution or trial of offences, or with respect to judicial determinations in individual cases.