Written answers

Thursday, 12 March 2015

Department of Justice and Equality

Garda Operations

Photo of Bernard DurkanBernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

149. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality the success of Operation Fiacla, within the north central division of the Dublin metropolitan region, including the numbers arrested, charged and subsequently before the courts, in respect of offences under this operation; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10888/15]

Photo of Bernard DurkanBernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

155. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality the progress to date in respect of Operation Creeper within the north central division of the Dublin metropolitan region, including the numbers arrested, charged and subsequently before the courts, in respect of offences under this operation; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10899/15]

Photo of Bernard DurkanBernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

157. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality the success of Operation Acer within the north central Ddivision of the Dublin metropolitan region, including the numbers arrested, charged, and subsequently before the courts, in respect of offences under this operation; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10904/15]

Photo of Frances FitzgeraldFrances Fitzgerald (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I propose to take Questions Nos. 149, 155 and 157 together.

I can advise the Deputy that Garda operations tackling burglary are currently co-ordinated under Operation Fiacla, which is the national operation targeting burglary crime. This operation is supported by regional operations, of which Operation Acer is in force throughout the Dublin area, including the North Central Division. Operation Creeper is a further and related operation, which assists in the surveillance of Acer targets by monitoring their movements.

In so far as the overall national operation, Operation Fiacla, is concerned, as of 28 February 2015, this has led to the arrest of 12,374 persons with charges being brought against 7,010 persons nationally. Within this total, and since Operation Acer commenced in early 2012, I am advised that there has been 5,389 arrests, 2,746 charges and 1,087 convictions for burglary in the Dublin area, up to 3 February 2015. In so far as the North Central Division is concerned, there have been 899 arrests and 511 charges to date.

I am further advised that under Operation Creeper 167 persons were arrested in 2014. These targets were selected from the list of Operation Acer targets as a result of high criminal activity and also as a result of patrolling in areas with high incidents of burglary. Of those arrested, 46were arrested in the North Central Division, of which 42 were charged with offences.

I can also advise the Deputy that in addition to these policing responses, I am currently carrying out a broader and urgent review of the criminal justice system's response to the problem of burglaries. In this regard I am working closely with the Garda Commissioner and other relevant criminal justice agencies to ensure that an effective, whole of system response is in place in relation to burglary. This includes a focus on interagency measures in relation to the management of prolific offenders, visible policing, crime prevention support for communities and an examination of legislative issues. Burglary is a persistent and highly damaging crime, and I am committed to tackling it on a number of fronts, and through a partnership approach between criminal justice agencies and the community.

Comments

No comments

Log in or join to post a public comment.