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1999 Annual Report

The Annual Report of An Garda Síochána for 1999 highlights a continued decrease in reported indictable crime, with a 5% reduction compared to 1998 and a 21% decrease since 1995, attributed to community support and strategic initiatives. The report emphasizes the importance of crime statistics for law enforcement policy and outlines efforts to reduce road deaths, which saw a decrease in fatal accidents. The Commissioner expresses gratitude for government support and outlines plans to tackle major crime and enhance public safety in the coming year.

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0% found this document useful (0 votes)
30 views178 pages

1999 Annual Report

The Annual Report of An Garda Síochána for 1999 highlights a continued decrease in reported indictable crime, with a 5% reduction compared to 1998 and a 21% decrease since 1995, attributed to community support and strategic initiatives. The report emphasizes the importance of crime statistics for law enforcement policy and outlines efforts to reduce road deaths, which saw a decrease in fatal accidents. The Commissioner expresses gratitude for government support and outlines plans to tackle major crime and enhance public safety in the coming year.

Uploaded by

Yusia Mulyono
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© © All Rights Reserved
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TO THE MINISTER FOR JUSTICE, EQUALITY & LAW REFORM

DON AIRE DLÍ AGUS CIRT, COMHIONANNAIS AGUS ATHCHÓIRITHE DLÍ

ANNUAL REPORT
OF AN GARDA SÍOCHÁNA

1999 A n n u a l R e p o r t
Tu a r a s c á i l B h l i a n t ú i l 1 9 9 9
1 9 9 9

COMPILED BY AN GARDA SÍOCHÁNA,


G A R D A H E A D Q U A RT E R S , P H O E N I X PA R K , D U B L I N 8 .

CURTHA LE CHÉILE AG AN GARDA SÍOCHÁNA


CEANNCHEATHRÚ NA NGARDAÍ, PÁIRC NA FHIONNUISCE
BAILE ÁTHA CLIATH 8
AN GARDA SÍOCHÁNA ANNUAL REPORT 1999

A Aire Uasail

Cuireann sé áthas orm tuairisc bhliaintúil an Gharda Slochána


ón mblian 1999 a chur ós bhúr gcomhair.

Tá lion na gcionta díotála a tuairiscíoch ag isliú go fóill. Táim


bu'ioch de chomhaltaí an Gharda Síochána, agus foireann
shibhialta na nGardaí as ucht a gcuid díograise agus
proifisiúntachta agus iad ag obair le gníomachtaí stáit eile le
tacaíocht an phobail.

I gcompráid le 1998, bhí laghdú 5% ar an gclarú agus ó 1995


tá laghdú 21% san iomlán bainte amach. Gan amhras is iad na.
stuaimeanna eagsúla stratéisí agus neartú acmhainní,
daingeanaithe le tacaíocht an phobail agus arthaithe dlí atá mar
chroílár chun an cuspóir a bhaint amach. Ach chun leibhéal
1999 maidir le tuairicsú coireanna a choinneál is dúshlán ann
féin a bhéas ann. Cé go bhfuil laghdú beag ón mbliain seo
chaite ar an ráta braite ag 42% fós féin is éacht súntasach 6 seo.

Cé go soláthraíonn staitisticí cóir. an bunchloch le haghaidh polasaí feidhmiú dlí agus an modh le
haghaidh roinnt acmhainnaí oibríonn siad. chomh maith mar threóir le haghaidh gníomhartha
choistheach agus táim sa phroiseas cords a chruthú ina mbeidh anailís cóir ar phriomh cléim sa
phroiseas choisctheach. Thosaígh an chéad mhír den choras nua aimseartha IT don Gharda
Síochána, i mile naoi gcéad nocha naoi, b’é an toradh ná iochtan tapa agus comhordú l'eolas
bainteacha, agus mar sin ag cur feabhsú ar fheidhmiú na nGardaí.

Tá na ceisteanna a bheidh so thuigthe chun cords casta mar seo a chur I bhfeidhm a cheisiú tá
roinnt acu sofheicthe sa tuairisc seo, sa tslí ina bhfuil analilís staitisicúil cruinn in easnamh maidir
lena figiuirí, maidir leis na trí mhí deireadh.

Tréith bhunúsach amhain ná, ár niarracht, a chuaigh i ndéine agus ar chomheagar chun báis ar na
bóithre a laghdú Tháinig laghdú ar na, timpisti cinniúnacha le 45 (fuair 413 duine bás i 1999 i
geomparáid le 458 il 1998). Leanfaidh fir niarracht chomhbhearaithe i mbliana le haghaidh ár
gcuspóir a acquaint amach, sé sin bás, dochar, agus timpisti ar fir mboithre a laghdú. Beidh feabhas
ag teacht ar seo, trid an modh ilgníomhaire ag oibriú le na roinne agus gníomhairí eile sa rialtas
agus iad go léir ag obair chun na gealltanais atá Writhe sa stráitéis atá ag an rialtas ar shabháilteacht
ar an mbóthar a acquaint amach.

Is é atá'i gceist i mo phlean póilíneachta don bhlian atá rómhainn na mo dhícheall a dhéanamh
chun dul i ngleic le mór choiriúlacht coiríulacht bhóna bhána san áireamh agus leantúint ar
aghaidh chun coiriúlacht eagraithe a stopadh, go háirithe na ciontóirí a bhíonn freagrach as na
seandaoine a cheapadh agus gan scans ar bith é a thabhairt dos na daoine atá sé ar intinn acu bonn
a acquaint ón bpróiséas Siochána, agus bagairt a dhéanamh i slí ar bith do shlándáil an stáit Leis an
leas is eifeachtaí a acquaint as achmhainne ar dui chun cinn leis an méid coiriúlachta a laghdú agus
an dui i ngleic le cásanna neamhord. phoiblí trí usáid a acquaint as rannpháirteacht an phobail atá
mar aidhmeanna tábhachtacha póilíneachta.

Mar chríoch, ba mhaith liom buíochas a ghlacadh leis an rialtas, tú féin go pearasanta, agus
foireann an roinn Dlí, Ceirt agus Comhionnanas agus Athchóirthe dlí maidir lena tacaíocht
leanúnach i rith na bliana.

Is mise le meas

PADRAIG Ó BRÓIN
COIMISINÉIR, AN GHARDA SÍOCHÁNA

i
AN GARDA SÍOCHÁNA ANNUAL REPORT 1999

Dear Minister,

It is with pleasure I present my Annual Report on An Garda


Síochána for I999.

The incidence of reported indictable crime continued its


downward trend. This reflects the dedication, commitment and
professionalism of members of An Garda Síochána, and Garda
civilian staff, working with other State agencies and with the
support of the community. The endeavour of all concerned is
sincerely appreciated.

In comparison with I998, a 5% decrease was recorded and,


since I995, a 2I% decrease overall has been attained.
Undoubtedly the various initiatives, strategies and enhanced
resourcing, reinforced by the excellent community assistance
and legislative changes, have been pivotal in achieving the
desired objective. But to maintain the I999 level of reported
crime in the years ahead will in itself be a challenge. The detection rate at 42%, while a slight
decrease from last year, is none the less a significant achievement.
While crime statistics provide the basis for law enforcement policy and a means towards resource
allocation, they also act as a guide to preventative action and I am in the process of devising a
system whereby crime analysis will be a key step in the preventative process.

The first phase of a modem IT system for An Garda Síochána went live in I999, resulting in rapid
access to and coordination of relevant information, thus enhacing Garda performance. The expected
issues inherent in implementing such a complex system are being addressed, some of which are
manifested in this report in that the last three months figures lack precise statistical analysis.

One significant feature of I999 was our intensified and coordinated effort to reduce road deaths.
Fatal accidents decreased by 45 (4I3 in I999 compared with 458 in I998). The coming year will see
a continued concerted endeavour towards achieving our objective of reducing deaths, injuries and
accidents on our roads. This will be progressed through the multiagency approach involving other
Government Departments and Agencies all working to achieve the commitments outlined in the
Governments Road Safety Strategy.

My policing plan for the coming year includes a commitment and determination to tackle major
crime, including whitecollar crime, and to continue targeting organised crime and particularly,
criminals who prey on the elderly with no let up on those determined to undermine the Peace
Process and threaten in any way the Security of the State. By the effective use of resources, the
continued reduction of crime and tackling areas of public disorder through community involvement
and partnership, are also priority policing objectives. Finally, I would like to thank the Government,
you personally, and the personnel of the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform for their
continued support during the year.

Yours faithfully,

PATRICK BYRNE
COMMISSIONER OF AN GARDA SÍOCHÁNA

ii
CONTENTS
CLÁR
Foreword (Irish) i
Foreword (English) ii
OFFICE OF THE GARDA COMMISSIONER 1
Garda Press and Public Relations Office 1
Band of An Garda Síochána 2
Garda Museum & Archives 2
DEPUTY COMMISSIONER, STRATEGIC & RESOURCE MANAGEMENT 3
Organisation Development Unit 4
A Strategy for the Irish Language 4
'A' BRANCH, FINANCE, SERVICES & COMMUNITY RELATIONS 5
Finance & Logistics 5
Transport Section 7
Telecommunications Section 7
Housing Section 8
Technical Bureau 9
Mapping Section 9
Fingerprint Section 10
Document/Handwriting Section 11
Photographic Section 11
Forensic Liaison Office 12
Ballistics Section 12
Fógra Tóra 13
Garda Criminal Records Office 13
Information Technology Section 14
Management of the PULSE Project 15
Other Information Technology Developments 16
PULSE Change Management 17
Community Relations Section 18
National Crime Prevention Office 19
National Juvenile Office 20
'B' BRANCH, HUMAN RESOURCE MANAGEMENT & RESEARCH 21
Human Resource Management 21
Internal Affairs Section 23
Overseas Service 25
Director of Training and Quality Service 26
Garda National Quality Service Bureau 28
Strategic Management 28
Policing the Millennium Changeover 29
DEPUTY COMMISSIONER, OPERATIONS 31
Special Services (Operations) 31
Garda Air Support Unit 32
Garda Mounted Unit 33
Garda Water Unit 34
Garda Dog Unit 35
Regional Profiles 36
Eastern Region 37
Dublin Metropolitan Region 38
Northern Region 39
South Eastern Region 40
Southern Region 41
Western Region 42
'C' BRANCH, CRIME, SECURITY & TRAFFIC 43
Security & Intelligence Section 43
Crime Administration Section 44
Liaison & Protection Section 44
Garda National Traffic Bureau 45
National Bureau of Criminal Investigation 47
Garda Bureau of Fraud Investigation 49
Garda National Drugs Unit 52
Criminal Assets Bureau 53
International Activities 54

iii
Indictable offences

Indictable offences which became known to the Gardaí (Jan-Sept incl.) 59


Indictable Offences Recorded 1985 to 1999 63
Indictable offences 1998 and 1999 (Jan-Sept incl.) 64
Summary of indictable offences 1999 (Jan-Sept incl.) 65
Summary of indictable offences 1997 to 1999(Jan-Sept incl.) 66

Analysis of Indictable Offences

Indictable offences by Garda regions and city areas during 1999 (Jan-Sept incl.) 68
Indictable offences per 1000 of Population 1999 70
Homicide offences by region and gender of victims 1999 71
Murders per 100,000 population 1999 72
Homicide victims by age and gender 1999 72
Indictable assault and sexual offence victims by gender (Jan-Sept incl.) 73
Armed robberies & armed aggravated burglaries where firearms were used 75
Analysis of armed aggravated burglaries and armed robberies 1999 (Jan-Sept incl.) 76
Armed robbery & Armed Aggravated Burglary by division 1999 77
Robberies and aggravated burglaries where syringes were used 1995 to 1999 78
Burglaries 81
Larcenies from Shops and Unattended Vehicles 1999 83

Juvenile Offences

Disposal of 1999 referrals 87


Details of prosecutions by Region (1999 referrals) 89
Activities of Juvenile Liaison Officers 90
Age of Juvenile Offenders 90
Juvenile Criminal Activities - Time of Occurrence 91
Summary of offences in respect of which juvenile offenders were referred 92

Non-Indictable Offences

Non-indictable offences where proceedings were taken (Drugs offences excluded) 95


Non- indictable offences per 1,000 of population 96
Non-indictable offences - proceedings and persons convicted in 1999 96

Drug Offences

Offences where proceedings commenced by division and drug type 100


Particulars of drugs seized 101
Nationality of persons against whom proceedings were commenced 101
Miscellaneous drug offences 101
Possession, supply obstruction and other offences 102
Persons prosecuted for drug offences by age and gender 103
Persons prosecuted for drug offences per 100,000 of population 104
Drug lectures by division 104

Traffic Offences

Unauthorised taking and larceny of mechanically propelled vehicles 1985 to 1999 105
Unauthorised takings per 1,000 vehicles licensed 106
Vehicles Stolen and Recovered 1999 (Jan - Sept incl.) 107
Fines on the Spot issued
Road traffic offences by division 109
Road traffic offences per 1,000 vehicles licensed 109
Drink and driving offences ,breath tests, blood/urine tests, arrests etc. 111

Additional Information

Domestic Violence 114


Missing Persons 115
Detected indictable offences committed by persons on bail 1990 to 1999 (Jan-Sept) 116
Firearms, ammunition and explosives seized by Gardaí during 1999 117
Appendix

iv
AN GARDA SÍOCHÁNA ANNUAL REPORT 1999

OFFICE OF THE GARDA COMMISSIONER


OIFIG AN CHOIMISINÉARA
Garda Headquarters, Phoenix Park, Dublin is the Office of the Commissioner of
An Garda Síochána. The buildings were purpose built as a police headquarters
and have been in continuous use
since 1842.
Commissioner’s Office
The general direction and control of An Garda Síochána is
Commissioner
the responsibility of the Garda Commissioner. He is
assisted by the Deputy Commissioner, Strategic &
Private Secretary Personal Assistant Resource Management and the Deputy Commissioner,
(Superintendent) (Chief Superintendent) Operations, both of whom direct all administrative and
operational activity respectively.
Garda Press Garda Museum
Within the Commissioner’s Office itself, the Commissioner
& Public and Archives
Relations has a Personal Assistant (Chief Superintendent) and a
Office Band of An Garda Private Secretary (Superintendent), together with an
Síochána administrative staff.

The Garda Press & Public Relations Office; the Garda Museum & Archives and the Band of An Garda
Síochána report direct to the Commissioner through the Personal Assistant.

GARDA PRESS AND PUBLIC RELATIONS OFFICE


OIFIG PHREASA AGUS CHAIDRIMH PHOIBLÍ AN GARDA SÍOCHÁNA
1999 proved to be another busy year for the Garda Press and Public Relations Office. A Media Liaison
Course which started in October 1998 continued into 1999 and by February, 120 Garda Officers had
completed the course. The aim of the training is to have a consistent, effective and professional approach
to media relations, particularly to major incidents and events.

International media attention was firmly focused on Ireland during the early summer with the
establishment of the Independent Commission for Victims Remains. On the 28th of May, 1999, the first
of the remains of the disappeared was left at a graveyard at Faughart, Dundalk, Co. Louth. Six sites
where it was believed that a total of eight bodies were buried were identified to GardaÌ by the
Commission. These sites were in Counties Louth, Meath, Monaghan and Wicklow. Because of the huge
amount of media attention, both nationally and internationally, Garda Media Liaison Officers were
appointed at each site. This proved to be a challenging time for the Garda Press Office.

The Garda Press and Public Relations Office played a


co-ordinating role in the TV series ‘Solved & Unsolved
commissioned by RTE. The documentary series examines
Garda investigations into serious cases, which are either
solved or still under investigation, through a combination
of re-constructions, file footage and witness interviews.

In addition to its regular functions of servicing the media


and devising media strategies for An Garda Síochána, the
Garda Press & Public Relations Office took control of the
Garda Web Site – www.garda.ie

There are now eight thousand visits to the web site each month and this is increasing on a daily basis.
The site currently contains information on all aspects of the organisation i.e. Recruitment Policy, Press
Releases and information on the different aspects of the work of the Garda Síochána. Further
development of the site is planned.

1 Visit the Garda Website at www.garda.ie


AN GARDA SÍOCHÁNA ANNUAL REPORT 1999

BAND OF AN GARDA SÍOCHÁNA


BANNA CEOIL AN GHARDA SÍOCHÁNA
The Band of An Garda Síochána continued it’s
busy schedule during 1999, appearing on 201
occasions throughout the country.

The thirty members of the band, under its


Director, Inspector W. Byrne, continued its
policy of visiting as many of the Garda
Divisions as possible, performing at a diverse
range of events including summer projects,
Christmas parties, concerts, parade, TV shows,
sporting events, school concerts, festivals, arts
weeks and official Garda engagements.

During the year, the Band of An Garda Síochána


continued to be in constant demand by all
major event organisers throughout the country,
so much so that many appearances were
deferred to the following year. Major appearances during the year included appearances at Aras an
Uachtarain; PTAA Centenary Celebrations at Croke Park; the Rose of Tralee Festival; the Cork Jazz
Festival; the Galway Oyster Festival and many other events. The Garda Band continues its mission to
perform music and to increase musical understanding of the widest variety in the best acceptable terms.

GARDA MUSEUM AND ARCHIVES


IARSMLANN AGUS CARTLANN NA NGARDAÍ
The Garda Museum and Archives continues to attract both visitors and
researchers from all walks of life.
As part of the ongoing development of the Museum, facilities continue to
be upgraded with additional exhibition stands and a microfilm reader
located in the Research Room.

When fully functional, both these items will enhance the Museum with an
additional display area for photographic/archival material and by
facilitating visitors pursuing police related research.

Statutory obligations regarding records management issues continue to be


a priority issue for the Garda Archivist. During the year the proposal to
establish a National Garda Record Centre was approved and work has
commenced.

The Garda Museum and Archives are located at


the Record Tower, Dublin Castle and visitors are
welcome between 9am to 5pm Monday to Friday
and by appointment on Saturdays & Sundays
(Telephone: 671 9597).

2 Visit the Garda Website at www.garda.ie


AN GARDA SÍOCHÁNA ANNUAL REPORT 1999

DEPUTY COMMISSIONER,
STRATEGIC & RESOURCE MANAGEMENT
AN LEAS CHOIMISINÉIR,
BAINISTíOCHT STRAITÉISIACH AGUS ACMHAINNÉ
The Deputy Commissioner, Strategic and Resource Management (SRM), directs leadership management,
administration, strategy, planning and resource activity within An Garda Síochána, with responsibility for
three Branches each headed by an Assistant Commissioner. Deputy Commissioner, SRM and Deputy
Commissioner, Operations are the two key supports to the Commissioner of An Garda Síochána.

Accountability, strategic and annual planning – including


monitoring, evaluating and reviewing – administration policy, Sreategic & Resource Management
finance, budgetary determination, leadership development,
resource prioritisation and allocation, research, the Deputy Commissioner,
Inspectorate, evaluation of EU policing projects and Strategic & Resource Management
organisation development are all priority tasks of SRM.
Organisation
Key achievements during 1999 were the:- Development Unit
● Successful implementation of the Policing Plan.
● Drafting the Garda Síochána Corporate Strategy Plan Assistant Commissioner “A” Branch
2000-2004. (Finance, Services and Community
Relations)
● Consulting with community, staff, Government and a range
of other agencies and drafting the Garda Síochána Annual
Assistant Commissioner “B” Branch
Policing Plan 2000. (Human resource Management & Research)
● Strong 1999 progress in achieving the SMI projects.
● Increase in the effectiveness of many different Garda Assistant Commissioner
sections Strategic Management

HRM achievements included the:-


● Progress in the implementation of the Garda Customer Service Action Plan.
● Successful Garda participation in international peacekeeping.
● The launch of the Garda Human Rights Initiative 1999-2000.
● Extension of the welfare service and a better tenure policy.
● Improved employment equality, with equal rent allowances.
● Completion of the New Opportunities for Women project.
● Providing key research reports including the Public Attitudes Survey 1999.

Finance, Services and Community Relations achievements include the:-


● Overhaul of Garda procurement policy.
● Start of the TETRA secure radio project.
● PULSE Garda IT progress.
● Financial management initiatives including training in devolved budgeting.
● Reviews of Community Policing and accommodation.

3 Visit the Garda Website at www.garda.ie


AN GARDA SÍOCHÁNA ANNUAL REPORT 1999

Memoranda of Understanding between An Garda Síochána


and other police services – including an MOU renewed
with Russia signed by the Commissioner – and the McCabe
Fellowship Exchange are administered at SRM. In future, a
range of bilateral agreements to combat crime which have
been entered into by the Government will be serviced by
An Garda Síochána.
A Superintendent, Executive Officer and a clerical staff are
responsible for the effective administration of the office of
the Deputy Commissioner.
The EU Co-ordination Unit, based at SRM, services Garda participation in EU Working Groups, prepares
funding applications under EU programmes and contributes to Garda input into bilateral international
agreements. This unit must now assist in the preparation for the Irish EU Presidency in 2004.

ORGANISATION DEVELOPMENT UNIT


AONAD FORBARTHA EAGRAÍOCHTA
The Organisation Development Unit was established in 1994 to enhance organisational effectiveness
through organisational development. The ODU research policy issues and carry out reviews of specialist
units on behalf of Deputy Commissioner, Strategic and Resource Management.
Organisation development provides the planned development and reinforcement of organisation
strategies, strategies, structure and process for improving the organisation’s effectiveness.

A STRATEGY FOR THE IRISH STRAITÉIS DON GHAEILGE SA GHARDA


LANGUAGE IN AN GARDA SÍOCHÁNA SÍOCHÁNA - 1998 GO 2002
– 1998 TO 2002. Is é an doiciméad “Straitéis don Ghaeilge sa Gharda
Síochána an tríú cheann sa tsraith Cláracha
The document ‘A Strategy for the Irish Language in An
Gníomhaíochta sa Gharda Siochana d’fhorbairt seirbhís
Garda Síochána – 1998 to 2002’ is the third in a series of
ardchaighdeáin do lucht labhartha na Gaeilge.
Action Programmes in An Garda Síochána for the
development of a quality service for the Irish speaking
Bunaíodh Grúpa Oibre i 1998 chun maoirseacht a
public.
dhéanamh ar fhorfheidhmiú pholasaí a d’eascair ón
A Working Group was established in 1998 to oversee the straitéis. Tá an Grúpa, a bhfuil ionadaithe aige ó gach
implementation of policy emanating from the strategy. Rannóg Gharda ábhartha agus ó Bhord na Gaeilge/An
The Group, which has representatives from all relevant Foras Teanga faoi chathaoirleacht an Leas-Choimisinéara,
Garda Sections and from Bord na Gaeilge/An Foras Bainistíocht Straitéiseach agus Acmhainní. Tháinig an
Teanga, is under the chairmanship of Deputy Grúpa le chéile trí huaire i rith na bliana agus cuireadh
Commissioner, Strategic & Resource Management. The clár aontaithe oibre don bhliain i bhfeidhm.
Group met three times during the year and an agreed
work programme for the year was implemented. B’iad cuid de na príomhfhorbairtí i rith 1999 ná
● Treoir cainteoirí Gaeilge sa Gharda Síochána a chur le
Some of the main developments during 1999 were:
chéile.
● Compilation of a directory of Irish speakers in An
● Méadú datheangach ar a bhfuil i bhfoilseacháin an
Garda Síochána.
Fhórsa
● An increase in bilingual content of Force publications.
● Eisiúint treoracha maidir le húsáid na Gaeilge ag
● Issuing of instructions regarding the use of Irish at
cruinnuithe poiblí, in agallaimh agus i dteagmháil eile
public meetings, in interviews and other contact with
leis an bpobal.
the public.
● Leanúint ar aghaidh agus feabhsú tionscnaimh a
● Continuation and improvement of initiatives already
rinneadh cheana i líon áirithe réimsí, m. sh., pearsanra
undertaken in a number of areas, e.g. personnel in
sna stáisiúin Ghaeltachta; comhfhreagras leis an
Gaeltacht Stations; correspondence with the public;
bpobal; cumarsáid teileafóin leis an bpobal;
telephone communication with the public; signage;
comharthaíocht; foirmeacha oifigiula agus fógraí;
official forms and notices; stationery; the Garda
páipéarachas; Clár Scoile an Gharda Síochána agus
Schools Programme and instruction in the Irish
teagasc i nGaeilge.
Language.

4 Visit the Garda Website at www.garda.ie


AN GARDA SÍOCHÁNA ANNUAL REPORT 1999

‘A’ BRANCH
(FINANCE, SERVICES & COMMUNITY RELATIONS)

BRAINSE ‘A’
(AIRGEADAIS, SEIRBHÍSÍ AGUS CAIDREAMH PHOBAIL)
The internal structures within ‘A’ Branch (Finance, Service Finance, Services & Community
& Community Relations) were adjusted during the year and Relations
now consist of the sections indicated in the organisational
chart below. Policy formulation and day to day running of Assistant Commissioner,
the Branch is performed by an Assistant Commissioner Finance, Services & Community Relations
reporting directly to Deputy Commissioner, Strategic &
Resource Management.
Chief Superintendent
The sections within ‘A’ Branch are responsible for providing Finance & Logistics
a wide range of support services for all sections of An Garda
Síochána.
Chief Superintendent
The services provided reflect a modern police force and Support Services
include Information Technology; Telecommunications;
Transport; Finance; Equipment; Clothing; Accommodation; Chief Superintendent
Technical Bureau; Community relations and Crime Technical Bureau
Prevention.
Chief Superintendent
To ensure maximum efficiency and effectiveness is achieved Information Technology
in all Garda operations, this Branch works in close liaison
with Government Departments and a wide range of Semi Chief Superintendent
State and private companies, as well as other police forces. IT Change Management

Chief Superintendent
Community Relations

FINANCE & LOGISTICS


AIRGEADAIS AGUS LOIGHISTIC
The Finance & Logistics Section (previously the
Garda Expenditure 1999
Barrack Masters Section) has a dedicated team of
Garda and civilian staff, with responsibility for
implementing policy in areas of purchasing, stores and Discretionary Overtime
financial management. In the year under review, Spending Pensions IR£48.6m
satisfactory budgetary management was performed by IR£85m IR£86.5m
this section.

Ongoing new procedures and financial policies are


being introduced at Finance & Logistics Section to
provide timely and accurate information to senior
management at both Headquarters and
Regional/Divisional centres throughout the country.

Management information reports were also developed Salaries


to improve on budget controls and monitor IR£372.8m
expenditure.

5 Visit the Garda Website at www.garda.ie


AN GARDA SÍOCHÁNA ANNUAL REPORT 1999

In preparation for the Commissioner becoming the Accounting Officer, selection competitions were held
for senior management posts, including that of Director of Finance. Development work on these future
roles and functions is progressing satisfactorily.

In 1999, An Garda Siochana incurred gross expenditure of IR£606.9m. When adjusted for
Appropriations-in-Aid (IR£16.2m), the net expenditure figure is IR£590.7m. Salaries, Wages &
Allowances including Overtime and Superannuation accounted for slightly over 86% of total
expenditure with discretionary spending accounting for the remaining 14% or IR£85m. Discretionary
Expenditure (IR£85m) was incurred under the following general headings:

Discretionary Expenditure 1999


(expressed in IR£,000’s)

£25,000
£20,000
£15,000
£10,000
£5,000
£0
Travel &
Subsistance

Premises

Station Services

Communication
s

Aircraft

Compensation
Incidental
Expenses

Comp. & Office


Equipment
Posts &
Telephones

Clothing &
Accessories

Transport

Work continued throughout the year on stores/purchasing


modernisation, resulting in computerised purchasing and
stores management system (Mapics) was completed
during the year, which includes Euro Functions. The
introduction of a computerised Asset Register was
completed which provides tracking and accountability of
the substantial asset base of An Garda Síochána.

Work commenced on a custom built modern stores


complex at Santry Garda Station, Dublin, which will
house all Garda Stores. To compliment this development
staff at the section underwent a number of training
programmes, including computer related skills and
Purchasing and Supplies Management and further training
will continue.

The purchasing and accounts payable process was


reviewed and new more streamlined structures were put
in place to ensure greater efficiencies in this area. In
addition, programmes were developed to produce timely
and accurate Annual Appropriations Accounts.

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AN GARDA SÍOCHÁNA ANNUAL REPORT 1999

SUPPORT SERVICES
SEIRBHÍSÍ TACAÍOCHTA
Support Services includes the Transport, Telecommunications and Housing Sections. Support Services
provides administrative coordination of all these inter-related areas, to ensure best value and practices are
adhered to.

TRANSPORT SECTION
RANNÓG IOMPAIR
The provision of an effective and efficient transport fleet, to meet the
operational requirements of An Garda Síochána, remains the objective
of the Garda Transport Section. Effective use of the Fleet Management
Computer System greatly assists the day to day management of the
fleet, which at years end totaled 1,932 vehicles. The breakdown by
type of vehicle is indicated in the chart below.

Garda Fleet by Vehicle Type 1999 The total mileage of the entire fleet is approaching 50
million miles per year and to cope with mileage of
this magnitude, while ensuring that value for money is
4x4 Vehicles 4% Cars 65% obtained, a chargecard system for the purchase of fuel
was introduced during the year and is fully
Other 4% operational.

This ensures that up to date information on


vehicle/fuel usage is readily available for management
purposes. Considerable savings on fuel costs have
resulted since the introduction of this system.

Civilian drivers were introduced into the Transport


Section at the end of the year. These drivers will
replace existing Garda personnel at the Section and
Vans 17% allow these members to return to core policing duties.
Motor Cycles 10%

TELECOMMUNICATIONS SECTION
RANNÓG TELECHUMARSÁIDE
The Garda Telecommunications Section is headed by a Director of Engineering, assisted by a staff in
excess of 100 personnel. Telecommunications Section provides systems and operational technical support
services for An Garda Síochána, with its primary objectives being the design, procurement and support of
mission specific equipment.

Considerable advances were made in utilising CCTV in the investigation of serious crimes. Monitoring
and print facilities have been provided to Divisions and Specialist Units that greatly improve facilities at
local level. This programme will continue with the integration of the video analysis suites in support of
Urban CCTV Systems.

The introduction of large sophisticated telecommunications systems such as the new DMR Microwave
Network, Data Network and PABX upgrades, in addition to increased resources for speed detection and
specialist equipment necessitated improved service quality and cost control.

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AN GARDA SÍOCHÁNA ANNUAL REPORT 1999

The Section continued to implement modern support processes to improve service quality, reliability and
speed of delivery. In support of Telecommunications technology in 1999 expenditure in excess of £1.3m
(1,651,000 Euros) was incurred in addition to processing £2.4m (3,048,000Euros) for the upgrade of
current systems and new technology.

A number of projects were commenced or developed during the year under review, including:-
● Establishing the requirements for a new Tetra Radio
Standard. Sample Tetra Radio demonstrations were also
made to senior Garda management; the appointment of
consultants to design Tetra for An Garda Síochána and
briefings.
● Continued development of CCTV systems with the
awarding of the contract for Cork City comprising of 29
cameras; commencement of installation of further system
at Pearse St., Dublin, comprising of 15 cameras and the
commencement of the link up from the Dublin
Corporation Traffic Camera System to the Garda
Communications Centre, Harcourt Square.
● Continued extension of networks including:- upgrades
from analogue to digital PABXs in 37 District HQ Stations;
purchase of a further 26 digital PABXs; the networking of
35 stations for Telephony/Data and the completion of a Virtual Private Network (VPN) for 17
provincial Divisional Headquarters stations.
● Telephone Traffic Computers were installed in 19 Divisional HQ stations and a further 200 general
purpose fax machines were purchased.
● Provision of a Cellular Private Network for official issue mobile telephones and a Radio Planning
Propagation Tool was acquired.

HOUSING SECTION
RANNÓG TITHÍOCHTA
The Housing Section is headed by a Superintendent reporting to Chief Superintendent, Support Services
and the responsibilities of the section include:-
● Management of all matters relating to Garda accommodation.
● Regulating and managing matters pertaining to the placing of contracts with private contractors.
● Managing the capital budget including project management to sketch scheme stage.
● Certification for payment of monthly works carried out by the Office of Public Works.
● Advising senior management on relevant matters of policy, policy formulation and legislation &
regulations.
● Management of Garda housing stock ensuring efficiency and effectiveness.
● Monitoring and controlling Annual Maintenance Budget, including sanction for maintenance works up
to £50,000.
● Matters affecting accommodation in regard to health and safety issues and fire regulations.
● Adjudicating on the disposal, in part or full, of Garda premises and sites.
● Liaison on all official openings, contract signing and sod turning ceremonies.
● Liaison on all matters affecting temporary Garda accommodation at VIP sites, etc.
● Controlling and monitoring District Officers delegated expenditure.

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AN GARDA SÍOCHÁNA ANNUAL REPORT 1999

The Housing Section is also responsible for


prioritising projects for inclusion on the
Garda Building Programme (New Stations)
and the Minor Works List (Extensions, major
refurbishment’s). It maintains ongoing
regular contact with both the Office of
Public Works and the Department of Justice,
Equality & Law Reform regarding new
projects, current projects and problems
arising with sites or projects. Liaison is also
maintained with the various Staff
Representative Associations regarding station
accommodation and facilities; official
quarters, etc.

The total spent on maintenance of Garda buildings in 1999 was just over IR£3.6m (E4.8m), which
included the redecoration of 99 stations as part to the new Scheduled Painting Programme. This
allocation is being increased to facilitate the installation of audio/video recording of interviews suites.

In accordance with the Annual Policing Plan, a major review of Garda Accommodation was undertaken
during the year.

TECHNICAL BUREAU
AN BIÚRÓ TEICNIÚIL
The Technical Bureau is headed by a Chief Superintendent who reports to Assistant Commissioner,
‘A’ Branch, Finance, Services & Community Relations. The Technical Bureau provides a diverse range of
vital support functions for An Garda Síochána, particularly in the crime investigative field.

The role and functions of the Technical Bureau, established in 1934, have developed and expanded
through the years. Specialist ‘expert’ personnel provide assistance at major incidents and crime scenes.

In 1999, Bureau personnel responded to 835 (external) requests for assistance at serious crime scenes.
However, this figure represents only the initial contact and due to the high level of expertise provided by
Bureau staff, many hours are engaged both at the scene of an incident and back at their respective
laboratories and work stations at Garda Headquarters. All requests for assistance (Call Outs) are
evaluated by management at the Technical Bureau and if appropriate, the service is provided. The
objective of the Bureau is to provide a professional ‘same day’ service and to this end continual training,
research and development of innovative concepts in crime scene/forensic examinations and crime scene
management are undertaken.

In addition to ‘Call-outs’, the Technical Bureau also provides an internal service at Technical Bureau
laboratories to scenes of crime examiners operating in every Garda Division. Technical Bureau staff also
give presentations to staff courses at all levels and have a significant input into the training of Divisional
scene’s of crime examiners and detectives. The Garda Criminal Records Office and the Force gazette
‘Fógra Tóra’ are also managed at the Technical Bureau.

MAPPING SECTION
RANNÓG LÉAESCÁILÍOCHTA
The Mapping Section provides a comprehensive mapping service to An Garda Síochána, including
provision of administrative maps, surveying and preparing scaled drawings and maps for serious crime
investigation, fatal traffic accidents, security maps for major events, V.I.P visits etc. The main focus of the
Mapping Section is criminal investigation where maps are produced to scale as exhibits for court
purposes.
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AN GARDA SÍOCHÁNA ANNUAL REPORT 1999 AN GARDA SÍOCHÁNA ANNUAL REPORT 1999

The Mapping Section undertakes the surveying of major crimes scenes, (internal or external scenes).
External scenes are now mapped electronically by a robotic Geometer and the data is transferred to a
Computer Aided Drawing System (CAD 2000) for editing and completion at the Mapping Section.
Internal scenes are surveyed manually and drawn in CAD. The end product is a high quality map or
plan. To further develop the capabilities of the Section, liaison was maintained during the year with the
Ordnance Survey Service in regard to the provision of electronic or online mapping.

During the year, the Garda Mapping Section assisted in the investigation of 225 serious incidents, as per
breakdown below:
Fatal Accidents 47
Firearms/Explosives/Drugs finds 16
Robbery/Burglary/Aggravated Burglary 19
Assaults 24
Rape/Sexual Assaults 29
Murder/Suspicious Death 64
Shooting 11
Other scenes 15

FINGERPRINT SECTION
RANNÓG MÉARLORG
The Fingerprint Section provides a fingerprints
identification service to An Garda Síochána with
the objectives of:
● Providing the identity of specific persons by

their criminal records;


● Authenticating criminal history data;

● Linking culprits to the scenes of crime;

● Identifying dead bodies;

● Technically examining crime scenes;

● Providing expert fingerprints evidence in court;

● Maintaining fingerprints and palmprint

databases in accordance with legislation;


● Providing training in the science of Fingerprints

to Garda personnel;
● Provides an earprint identification service.

● Training scenes of crime examiners in the art of recovery of latent prints from crime scenes.

Prior to 1998, the Automatic Fingerprint Identification System (AFIS) did not provide for searching
facilities for palmprints developed at crime scenes. The system was developed internally within the
Fingerprint Section, and since January 1999 palmprints of known criminals are encoded on the system,
which has resulted in a high percentage of identifications.

An ISO9002 accreditation process was commenced during the year with the engagement of a
management consultancy and accreditation to an International or Accrediting Agency is expected during
2000.

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AN GARDA SÍOCHÁNA ANNUAL REPORT 1999

Non Numerical Standard Identification is a new concept being developed overseas and its progress is
being monitored by the Fingerprint Section, ensuring that An Garda Síochána will be ready to implement
such a system when fully developed and tested. The implementation of this standard will have major
implications for the Section, requiring additional specialist training in Poroscopy, Edgeogoly and
Ridgeology.
Livescan Electronic Fingerprinting Systems are being piloted at three locations, namely:- Bridewell Garda
Station, Dublin; Bridewell Garda Station, Cork and at Mountjoy Prison, Dublin.
Planning for the upgrade of the AFIS System also commenced during the year. When complete, it will
allow for the capture in a one-stop process images of latent finger and palm marks developed in the
Chemical Development Laboratory by using a digital camera; an up-graded computer system and
inputted directly to AFIS for search, rendering the system more efficient and of greater benefit to crime
investigators.

DOCUMENT/HANDWRITING
DOICMÉID/SCRÍOBHNEOIREACHT
The functions and role of the section can be divided
into two related areas:- Handwriting comparison
and Document examination. Handwriting involves
the comparison of one piece of handwriting with
another, carried out to determine whether there is a
common authorship between the writings, the
examination of signatures to determine if they are
genuine, traced or simulated forgeries.
Document examinations consists of identifying if a
substitution, addition, deletion, erasure or alteration has taken place. It also includes examination to
determine if documents are counterfeit, e.g. currency, passports, travel documents, official documents,
bank documents etc.
In addition to Court appearances and ancillary work relating to major criminal investigations and
Tribunals, the section dealt with 525 cases during the year.
Personnel from the Document/Handwriting Section lecture to internal Garda courses and to Army
personnel in Scenes of Crime Examination, Detective Training, Fraud, Forgery, etc. The section also
represents An Garda Síochána at meetings of Interpol and Europol on a Handwriting/Document
Examinations.
The section is equipped with the most modern equipment available which includes the ESDA
(electrostatic detection apparatus) for detecting indentations on paper caused by the writing of one
document while resting on top of another. The VSC2000 Computer System is used to differentiate inks
and reveal water marks etc. in documents. Personnel attached to this Section are accredited or in training
as Document/Handwriting experts, carrying out, within the wide parameters of forensic science, the
scientific examination of documents.

PHOTOGRAPHIC SECTION
RANNÓG GRIANGHRAFADÓIREACHTA
The Photographic Section provides a secure, independent photographic service to meet the requirements
of An Garda Síochána and the Courts.
The CD Fit Technology, a compact-disc based facial identification system, continues to be used
extensively and provides considerable assistance to serious crime investigations.

Case histories are now archived on CD Rom and developments continue to replace the current mini-lab
system with a sophisticated processor, capable of printing from conventional negative and digital
medium, bringing faster and more efficient methods of quality service.
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AN GARDA SÍOCHÁNA ANNUAL REPORT 1999

During 1999, the Photographic Section attended at 404 crimes serious crime scenes, 62 of which
involved suspicious deaths. A total of 4,207 crime scene examiners films were processed and 4,780
finger marks were photographed for the Fingerprint Section. One hundred and eighty (180) footmarks
were photographed for comparison purposes, in addition to the production of 145 CD (Fits). One
hundred and six (106) photographic assignments were undertaken for or on behalf of the Garda Press &
Public Relations Office.

FORENSIC LIAISON OFFICE


OIFIG CHEANGAIL FHOIRÉINSEACH
The Forensic Liaison Office (FLO) provides a central
reception facility for the processing of exhibits of
possible evidential value for examination by the Garda
Technical Bureau and/or Forensic Science Laboratory.
The system is managed by a computerised Exhibit
Tracking System, as exhibits move between
laboratories and work stations for specific testing and
examination. The Section is also responsible for the
destruction of all major drug seizures nationwide.
During 1999, a total of 24,820 cases were processed
by the Forensic Liaison Office, an increase of 1,055
cases over 1998.

BALLISTICS SECTION
RANNÓG BHAILISTÍOCHTA
The functions of the Ballistics Section include:
● The examination of all firearms and ammunition seized in relation to crime.

● The examination of all explosives and explosive devices seized.

● The technical examination of the scenes of murder, suspicious death and serious crime.

● The restoration of erased identification numbers on motor vehicles, pedal cycles, jewellery, electrical

equipment.
● Providing assistance in the investigation of arson.

● The identification of shoe print, tyre print and tool marks found at the scenes of crime.

In respect of firearms examination and identification, all firearms received are fully examined and if
possible, test fired. Bullets and cartridges cases test fired are microscopically compared with all previous
shooting cases. A Ballistics Date Reference Centre maintains a collection of discharged cartridge cases
and spent bullets recovered from crime scenes.

The Section is equipped with microscope rooms, laboratory, firearms examination room, work room,
firing range and bullet recovery facilities. It also maintains an extensive reference collection containing
specimens representative of firearms, ammunition and explosive devices which have come into the
possession of An Garda Síochána.

A new crime scene vehicle, specifically designed to suit the requirements of the Section, was acquired
during the year and fitted with all the technical equipment required at a major crime scene. Onboard
computer facilities are being developed for the vehicle.
Developments continue and the section has sought the provision of a Computerised Ballistics
Identification System which will enable rapid identification of bullets and discharged cartridge cases.

A footwear/shoe print database for the identification of shoe print evidence found at the scene of a crime
is also being developed. During the year, the section acquired S.I.C.A.R. – a computerised Shoeprint
Image Capture and Retrieval System – to assist experts at the section in the examination and management
of shoeprints recovered at scenes by local examiners.

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AN GARDA SÍOCHÁNA ANNUAL REPORT 1999

To achieve expert status, staff at the Ballistics


Section attend at the Institute of
Criminalistics/L.S.O.P., Zupthen, The Netherlands.

FÓGRA TÓRA
Fógra Tóra is a confidential publication issued on
a bi-weekly basis, or more often if necessary.
Details of outstanding criminal investigations are
included in issues, along with details of persons &
vehicles sought by investigating Gardai. The
publication is circulated throughout An Garda
Síochána in addition to police forces in Northern
Ireland; Britain; the Channel Islands and Europe,
via Interpol.

GARDA CRIMINAL RECORDS OFFICE


OIFIG CHAIPEISI CHOIRIULACHTA NA NGARDAI
The function of Garda Criminal Records Office continues to be the computerised recording of criminal
convictions and the vetting of applicants for appointments in An Garda Síochána, Defence Forces, Civil
Service and PSV applicants. The GCRO utilises the new PULSE computer network to record court
outcomes and a photography scanning facility was added during the year.

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AN GARDA SÍOCHÁNA ANNUAL REPORT 1999

INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY SECTION


RANNÓG TEICNEOLAÍOCHT AN EOLAIS
The IT Section is made up of five individual, but
integrated sections, namely:-

IT Security & Operations – provides the Service


Desk; support services; hardware procurement;
rollout of equipment; IT security, etc.

Systems Development - provides services for


systems outside the scope of the PULSE Project.

Programme Coordination Office (PCO) - deals


with co-ordination and project management
between all the constituencies involved in the
PULSE Project, including the Garda IT Centre;
Garda Telecommunications Section, Garda
College, Finance and Logistics, etc.

Project Management Office - provides services to the various teams within the centre, such as
document libraries, storage of key documents and deliverables, etc.

PULSE Project Teams – responsible for the design, build and pilot of the PULSE systems.

The Change Management Section, while inextricably linked to the Garda IT Section is an autonomous
entity and it’s structure and activities are outlined later in this report.

The Garda IT Section has undergone dramatic change in the recent past, primarily due to the
implementation of the PULSE Project. Numbers of personnel have increased, which includes civilian
staff and consultants from external agencies who are assisting with the project. The numbers of
personnel are not static due to the fact that the project is not fully complete.

Because of the nature of work required from all personnel within the Garda IT Centre, a training
programme is in place to ensure that all necessary skills are available within the centre. Each section
has defined their specialist training requirements, and the training programme has been prepared to
ensure that necessary courses are scheduled so that optimum service levels are provided.

In addition to the designing and building of systems, the PULSE Project also required a large logistical
exercise to procure all the necessary hardware, which included equipment for both the Garda IT Centre
and each networked location. Following procurement, the equipment had to be installed and
commissioned in some 200 locations nationwide. In addition, each member of An Garda Síochána and
civilian staff was required to be assigned an individual user ID and password – this aspect alone
presented a major logistical challenge, which was completed efficiently and on schedule.

The Service Desk, which is the main contact point of the Garda IT Centre, now operates on a 24 hour,
7 day a week basis and the monitoring of all computer systems is also constant on a 24 hour basis.

A major data conversion programme was also developed to electronically transfer all data from the
mainframe computer to the new PULSE environment. The data conversion required a shutdown of all
central IT facilities for a period of four weeks.

The Garda IT Centre is responsible for other systems that are outside the current scope of PULSE.
These include some office systems and products that meet localised needs of specialist sections.

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AN GARDA SÍOCHÁNA ANNUAL REPORT 1999

MANAGEMENT OF THE PULSE PROJECT & PROGRAMME


The core PULSE project is managed on a day to day basis by a four person project directorate comprising
an Andersen Consulting partner and three senior Garda personnel. A fully staffed project management
office as well as a project co-ordination office ensure that project/programme status is tracked and
reported in accordance with the PRINCE project management methodology.

Two project boards, each of which meets on a monthly basis and includes representatives from the
Departments of Finance and Justice, Equality & Law Reform, oversee the project/programme. The I.T &
Telecommunications Executive Committee, which meets on a quarterly basis, receive reports on PULSE
status and technical directions and also supervise the overall PULSE Project/Programme.

BACKGROUND AND PROGRESS OF PULSE


The Garda IT Strategy was developed in 1992 in
conjunction with Andersen Consulting. The strategy
study was followed in 1993/94 by a high-level
conceptual design project, which led to the issue in
1995 of a tender seeking a partner for the
development of PULSE. The PULSE contract was
awarded to Andersen Consulting in September 1996
following an EU wide competitive tendering
process.

A computerised fingerprint storage and retrieval


system (AFIS) was installed in 1995/6 as the first
element of the PULSE Project. The AFIS system was
not part of the PULSE contract and was an off the
shelf product, customised to Garda requirements by
PRINTRAK.

The joint Garda/Andersen Consulting teams began work in September 1996 on the PULSE Project, with
Project Teams formed into four major constituencies – Project Management, Technical Architecture,
Application Development and Change Management. At this point, more than 400 man-years of effort
have been invested in the core project and more than £43 million has been expended from the project
budget.

The first PULSE system, Criminal Intelligence, was introduced in April 1999. This system was introduced
early to enable the project team and users become familiar with the new technology and environments.
The next group of systems was introduced in November 1999 and these provided a replacement for
corresponding mainframe systems, which needed to be replaced because of Y2K incompatibility.
These systems included Incident Response; Interim Court Outcomes; Firearms; General Inquiries;
Photographs; Property and Incident Analysis.

The new PULSE systems were installed in November 1999 before the Y2K end of year deadline and
ensure the system operated successfully over the millennium change over period.

There are currently more than 1,100 PULSE workstations and 300 PULSE printers ìliveî in 104 locations.
At years end, work was well advanced on the provision of the remaining 300 workstations and printers in
75 locations.

The PULSE system has now taken over the work of the former mainframe system and new procedures
and systems are bedding down successfully.

In addition to commissioning the foregoing systems, development of future systems also continued during
the year. These systems include:- Warrants; Summonses; Bail; Charge Sheets; Prisoner Log; Full Court
Outcomes; Driving Licence Production; Bail Sign on; Electoral Register; Barring Orders & Safety Orders;
Traffic Accident Analysis and letters to Crime Victims.

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AN GARDA SÍOCHÁNA ANNUAL REPORT 1999

As PULSE is a series of ‘police specific’ systems, it has generated considerable interest within the law
enforcement community and foreign Government circles. The Garda IT Section has played host to
visiting delegations from:- Australia; Britain; Europol; Germany; Hungary; Iceland; New Zealand;
Spain; Sweden and The Netherlands.

PULSE TRAINING AND TDEC


There are more than 11,000 personnel to be trained by the Garda College, both at that location and
through the In Service Training network nationally, this includes training for operational personnel in
Enquiry and Data Entry. The logistics of the training effort, as well as the Y2K deadline were the factors
behind the two phase training approach. To avoid ‘training decay’, only 1,000 personnel were trained in
advance of PULSE rollouts to stations.

A PULSE Temporary Data Entry Centre (TDEC) was set up as a temporary transitional measure, which is
the most practical way to cut-over from a large-scale mainframe operation to the new PULSE system.
Significant economies of scale and reduction in project risks were achieved by the temporary data entry
arrangements.

The Swiftpost system, which is also used by a number of government agencies, is utilised to provide
recorded delivery of forms sent to TDEC or returned to stations for amendment. The bar-coding used
within the system eliminated the recruitment of specific personnel for clerical tasks and the system also
provides an Internet based tracking system to ensure that forms are not mislaid or lost.

OTHER INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY DEVELOPMENTS


Garda Year 2000 IT Programme - the Garda IT Centre managed a large scale Year 2000 compliance
programme during 1999. PULSE Release 1b was a major component of the Y2K strategy and major
upgrades were made to the computerised Command & Control system in the Dublin Metropolitan
Region; the Garda Fines-on-the-Spot system and the Fraud System. All IT systems were reported
compliant in November 1999 and there were no Y2K failures at the millennium cut-over.

I.T Centre Degree Programmes – One member of the Garda IT Section commenced an MBA
Programme at the Smurfit Business School and a number of staff commenced or continued BA
(Computer Science) degree programmes at the Institute of Public Administration.

IT Strategy Review 2000 - Crew Services (UK) were selected at the end of 1999 to carry out a review of
the Garda IT Strategy, which, when completed will lead to the development of workplans and budgets
for the period from 2000 to 2004. The review will also identify additional projects which are required in
the IT strategy area.

International IT Commitments – in keeping with other sections within An Garda Síochána, the demand
for participation of Garda IT personnel on EU related project boards and groups continued, as did the
hosting of overseas groups on fact finding missions to the Centre.

Criminal Justice Integration Project – Garda IT personnel continued to participate in a project to


achieve higher levels of integration between information systems in the criminal justice area.

IT Expenditure - the total expenditure from the Garda IT vote during 1999 was almost £18m. This
included PULSE and non-PULSE expenditure.

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AN GARDA SÍOCHÁNA ANNUAL REPORT 1999

PULSE CHANGE MANAGEMENT


GARDAI AG ÚSÁID NA MÓRCHÓRES GO HÉIFEACHTACH
BAINISTÍOCHT ATHRÚCHÁIN
PULSE is a technology enabled change initiative designed to meet the quality of service objectives
identified in the ‘Information For Action Vision’. The ‘Information For Action Vision’ is ‘an opportunity to
redefine the way An Garda Síochána works in such a manner as to benefit the organisation and the
community and enable the achievement of the corporate plan’.

ROLE OF CHANGE MANAGEMENT The Quality of Service objectives, which will be realised
when PULSE is fully implemented throughout the
Change management is generally focused
organisation are:
on people issues associated with any major
change initiative. It is concerned with
Improve Responsiveness to Community Needs:
linking people, processes, systems and 4 Support better service of victims of crime.
technology to the strategic goals of an 4 Enhance proactive police activities.
organisation. In An Garda Síochána the
goals of the Change Management Team are Achieve Excellence as an Organisation:
being achieved through ongoing 4 Streamline routine management activities.
organisation involvement and participation 4 Promote consistent use of best operational practices.
during the design, development and 4 Contribute to morale and job satisfaction.
implementation of PULSE and the
establishment of an effective two-way Enhance Core Policing Activities:
communication process. 4 Streamline and eliminate non-value added activities.

CHANGE MANAGEMENT TEAM


The Change Management Team is headed by a Chief Superintendent and is divided into five core areas
which include Organisation Analysis & Business Process Re-engineering; Communications &
Involvement; Training; Procedures & Directives and Management & Organisation Development.

1. ORGANISATION ANALYSIS & BUSINESS PROCESS RE-ENGINEERING


The Organisation Analysis and Process Re-engineering team is essentially concerned with re-engineering
work practises to eliminate replication and duplication of work. The team works with hundreds of
personnel employed at all levels throughout the organisation. The business processes for the first part of
PULSE were completed during 1999 and processes for future releases are now the focus of the team’s
work.

2. COMMUNICATIONS AND INVOLVEMENT


This team is responsible for relevant, timely and accurate
information on PULSE to all personnel and in maintaining an
effective two-way communication process. The objective is
to ensure that people know and understand why PULSE is
needed and how it will impact on everyday police work.
The team is also responsible for establishing and maintaining
the two thousand member PULSE Action Team, which is the
primary change network for face-to-face communications up
and down the organisation.

During the year, the team produced a video on PULSE,


entitled ‘Finger on the PULSE’, which was viewed by the vast
majority of members of the organisation. This was in addition to the production and distribution of a
number of newsletters, bulletins, posters and PULSE marketing & promotional materials. Also during the
year the team conducted a number of seminars and focus groups countrywide.

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AN GARDA SÍOCHÁNA ANNUAL REPORT 1999

3. TRAINING
PULSE training is new to An Garda Síochána and consists of a combination of on-line computer based
and instructor led training. This PULSE Training Team is responsible for developing the training materials
including screen cams, ‘How to’ guides and participation guides. The training system is an exact
reproduction of a live PULSE system. During the year, the training team designed and developed the
training materials for the first part of PULSE and successfully trained core groups of trainers from the
Garda College, who in turn trained over one thousand Garda personnel countrywide. Training materials
for further releases of PULSE continue to be developed.

4. PROCEDURES AND DIRECTIVES


This team links the PULSE system to the organisation by issuing procedures and directives to support
implementation. During the year the team produced the “User Manual Procedures and Responsibilities”
which was issued to each station for use by Garda personnel during the PULSE transition period.

5. MANAGEMENT & ORGANISATION DEVELOPMENT


This team continued to be involved in designing, developing and delivering seminars, briefings and
management development workshops for senior management. These activities are geared towards
developing and devising strategies for the successful implementation of PULSE at local level. During the
year a series of management development workshops were held throughout the country where
implementation plans were formulated and presented at station, district, divisional and regional level.
Workshops are ongoing to review implementation issues, monitor success and develop local plans for
further releases of PULSE.

COMMUNITY RELATIONS SECTION


RANNÓG CHAIDRIMH PHOIBLÍ
As part of re-structuring within An Garda Síochána during the year, the Garda Community Relations
Section now forms part of ‘A’ Branch, Finance, Services & Community Relations. Reporting to the
Assistant Commissioner, the Section continues to be headed by a Chief Superintendent and is divided
into three core units:- the Community Relations Office; the National Crime Prevention Office and the
National Juvenile Office.

COMMUNITY RELATIONS OFFICE FUNCTIONS


OIFIG CAIDREAMH POIBLÍ
Developments during 1999 centered on the completion of a Resource Pack for those involved with
Community Relations Office functions
Community Alert schemes. The pack provides access to
● Community policing.
information which will enable those involved in schemes to
● Neighbourhood Watch.
realise the full potential of Community Alert.
● Community Alert. The first phase of training for the civilian participants in
● Campus Watch. Neighbourhood Watch was completed, with training provided
● Coastal Watch. to the area co-ordinators of these schemes.
● Riverwatch.
● Victim Support. A ‘Design a Web Page’ competition was organised through the
● Tourist victim support. Dublin Neighbourhood Watch Representative Committee
● Rural community policing. aimed at secondary schools. The task was to layout a web page
● Hospital Watch. for use on the Garda Neighbourhood Watch site and identify
● Policing forum. necessary links with other suitable sites on the net.
● Participation at exhibitions.
The section continued to review the manner in which victims
● Focus groups incl. elderly.
of crime are treated and our partnership with Victim Support to
● Mobile crime prevention/drugs unit.
enable the organisation to provide a better service. The first
● Liaison with minority/ethnic, gay /lesbian
Riverwatch scheme was put into operation on the Barrow
groups.
water network and the scheme is aimed at enhancing the
● Production of information literature for the
amenity use of this facility by encouraging crime prevention
service and the public.
awareness.

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AN GARDA SÍOCHÁNA ANNUAL REPORT 1999

As 1999 was the UN Year of The Older Person the section participated in a wide range of activities and
in particular a review of policy relating to retired Garda members. The section also produced a range of
new information leaflets covering the areas of Domestic Violence; Vandalism; Child Protection; Advice
for Older Persons and a new Neighbourhood Watch booklet.

Update Of Watch Programmes The prevention of crime is one of the primary


31/12/98 31/12/99 objectives of An Garda Siochana. While the cost of
Neighbourhood watch 2617 2578
crime in monetary terms is enormous, it is impossible
Community Alert 1133 1139
to quantify the cost in human suffering to victims of
Business Watch 103 121
crime.
Coastal watch 11 14
To achieve the maximum benefits from Crime
Campus Watch 11 12
Prevention initiatives it is essential that the general
Hospital Watch pilot scheme 1 1
public be advised on ways to reduce the
Riverwatch pilot scheme 0 1
opportunities for committing crime.

An Garda Siochana recognise the need for a multi-agency approach to modern day policing and have
adopted a strategy which emphasises the pivotal role which community support plays in crime
prevention. One of the most important crime prevention techniques is reducing the opportunity for
committing crime. Analysis of crime trends and developments are carried out and advice is tailored to
provide the best protection from current criminal methods. Evaluation of crime prevention initiatives in
1999 has shown that partnership between An Garda Siochana and interested groups has yielded results.

NATIONAL CRIME PREVENTION OFFICE


OIFIG NÁISIÚNTA COISCTHE COIREACHTA
Crime prevention initiatives are co-ordinated through the National Crime Prevention Office, providing
development and support for the Crime Prevention and Community Relations Officers throughout the
country. The office examines modern crime prevention techniques and initiatives in relation to their
feasibility to addressing Irish problems. Staff are currently developing the areas of vehicle security,
computer theft and crime prevention design advice through architectural liaison.
The Office conducts seminars for Gardai and public groups on all matters relating to personal and
business security, in addition to conducting security surveys, of which eighty-nine were undertaken.
An Garda Síochána uses many methods to disseminate crime prevention advice to the public generally,
specific interest groups and at risk individuals, including the elderly. Almost 11.5% of our population are
now aged 65 and over and An Garda Siochana are determined to provide the maximum possible level of
protection for older members of our society to ensure that their dignity and quality of life are assured and
sustained. In recent years interagency co-operation has been to the fore in addressing the security needs
of the elderly.
Crime Prevention Officers also play an important role in
developing and maintaining Business Watch, Campus
Watch and Coastal Watch schemes. The advent of local
radio has proved a useful forum for disseminating crime
prevention advice and many local radio stations kindly
allocate airtime to An Garda Siochana for this purpose.
The experience in this country and abroad with Town
Centre CCTV as an aid to policing has been very
positive. Crime Prevention Officers play a significant
role in assessing the needs for new Town Centre
systems, siting of cameras and the crime prevention
element ensuing from the installation of a CCTV system.
All Garda Crime Prevention Officers have received
intensive training in all aspects of CCTV including
planning of Town Centre CCTV systems.

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AN GARDA SÍOCHÁNA ANNUAL REPORT 1999

The reduction of crime and disorder, thereby creating a safer environment, is a core policing function of
An Garda Siochana. This function is carried out through various crime prevention measures and
strategies, in partnership with other agencies. A natural extension of this function is the development of a
close liaison between An Garda Síochána, Local Authorities, Planners and Architects, in order to achieve
a sustained reduction in crime. Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED) acknowledges
that the built environment can influence criminal behaviour for good or ill. The most economical and
effective way of reducing the likelihood of criminal attack against any building is to plan its security well
before it is built. It is with these objectives in mind that a Garda Crime Prevention Design Advisor was
appointed in 1998 and continued to develop this aspect during 1999.

By liaising with all relevant parties involved in the planning and development stages of building
construction and offering advice which is commensurate with the risk and the projected risk the Crime
Prevention Design Advisor offers advice that will be suitable to making the building more resistant to
crime. In particular the Crime Prevention Design Advisor liaises with the relevant agencies to:-

● Provide comment on the overall design after the general layout has been decided.
● Supply a security survey report from plans provided and/or meet the architect to discuss same.
● Supply security recommendations on subsequent schedules such as doors and windows.
● Read and examine maps and location floor plans, elevations and perspectives, artist’s impressions and
models.

The Crime Prevention Design Advisor has successfully undertaken new initiatives in the public and
private sector.

NATIONAL JUVENILE OFFICE


OIFIG NÁISIÚNTA D’ÓGÁNAÍ
The Garda Juvenile Diversion Programme is a national scheme
operated on the basis that young offenders might benefit more
through having their criminal behaviour dealt with by way of
caution rather than prosecution. Since the establishment of the
programme in 1963, the vast majority of juveniles who
benefited from a caution did not come to Garda notice again
through repeat offending.

The programme operates under the supervision of the Director


(Superintendent) at the National Juvenile Office and is
managed country-wide by specially trained Gardai who are
employed as full-time Juvenile Liaison Officers (JLO’s). After
the juvenile has been cautioned, the JLO may maintain
contact with the offender and family for a specified period of
time. It may also involve referring the juvenile to other statutory agencies, who are better placed to deal
with the specific problems identified.

In 1999, some 7844 juvenile offenders were included in the programme and full details of how these
incidents were managed are outlined later in this report.

The Garda Schools Programme has been operating since 1990 and administers the training, resourcing
and support of Gardai involved nation-wide in implementing the Garda Schools Programme. Each
Superintendent has responsibility for the proper implementation of the Programme, through Irish or
English, within his/her District.

Expansion of the Garda Schools Programme is currently being researched, which may include the
development of formal contact by Gardai with post-primary students in the area of drugs education, in
order to support parents, teachers and the other agencies involved.

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AN GARDA SÍOCHÁNA ANNUAL REPORT 1999

‘B’ BRANCH
(HUMAN RESOURCE MANAGEMENT & RESEARCH)

Brainse ‘B’
(Bainistíocht Acmhainní Daonna & Taighde)
Assistant Commissioner, ‘B’ Branch, (Human Resource
Management & Research), based at Garda Headquarters, Human Resource
is responsible for all personnel issues relating to Gardai Management & Research
and civilian staff.
Assistant Commissioner,Human Resource
The Branch also incorporates training, research; health & Management & Research
safety, quality service and overseas service.
Chief Superintendent
Each Section is headed by a Chief Superintendent Human Resource Management
reporting to the Assistant Commissioner, Human Resource
Management & Research. Chief Superintendent
Internal Affairs

Chief Superintendent
HUMAN RESOURCE MANAGEMENT Director of
Training & Quality Service
BAINISTÍOCHT ACMHAINNÍ DAONNA
The Chief Superintendent, Human Resource Management Garda Research Unit
is responsible for a variety of sections providing the
regular HR functions for a large organisation, including Chief Superintendent
recruitment, appointments, retirements, pensions, UNFCYP, Cyprus
promotion, working conditions, equality issues, records
and overall deployments.

CHANGES IN PERSONNEL DURING THE YEAR

As at the 31/12/99, the overall strength of An Garda Síochána stood at 11,458, all ranks (see table below
for breakdown by rank), representing an increase of 223 (2%) over the strength on the 31/12/98.

Organisation Strength Five hundred and fifty (550) Trainee Gardai commenced training at the
Garda College during the year. As part of the 1998 Garda Trainee
Commissioner 1 Programme some 2,192 candidates were successful in a written
Deputy Commissioner 2 examination in March, 1999, with interviews commencing later in the
Assistant Commissioner 10 year and ongoing at years end.
Chief Superintendent 46
Superintendent 168 A new Garda Trainee Competition was advertised in July, 1999 with
Inspector 263 written examinations held in October. A total of 1,770 candidates were
Sergeant 1,876 successful and will be interviewed as the competition progresses.
Garda 9,092
11,458 Garda Trainee Competitions will continue as part of the Government’s
Civilian Staff 1,744 commitment to bring the overall Garda strength of the organisation to
Overall Strength 13,202 12,00 by 2001.
Retired 261
During the course of the year 330 members of An Garda Síochána departed the Dismissed 1
organisation for a variety of reasons, as outlined in the table on the right. Resigned 32
A total of forty (40) former members of An Garda Síochána died during the year. Incapacitated 16
Death (Serving) 20

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AN GARDA SÍOCHÁNA ANNUAL REPORT 1999

The breakdown of civilian staff by grade is shown in Administrative/clerical posts 796


the table below, with a total of 1,744 civilian support
General Operatives & Cleaners (F/time) 146
staff allocated to An Garda Síochána in both part time
and full time positions. Cleaners & Services Attendants (P/time). 616
Specialist Posts e.g. Teaching, Medical,
Promotion competitions were held during the year for Research, Mapping, Accountancy,
promotion to the rank of Assistant Commissioner, Photography & IT. 40
Chief Superintendent, Superintendent, Inspector and
Traffic Wardens 140
Sergeant. Promotion panels selected as a result of
these competitions expire on the 31/12/00. Drivers (Transport Section) 6

Selection competitions are organised through a combination of


Regional and Central Interview Boards for promotion to Sergeant and
Inspector.

Promotion to the rank of Superintendent, Chief Superintendent and


Assistant Commissioner are decided by separate Central Boards for
each competition. Separate Interview Boards also sat in respect of
members serving
Promotion to the rank of: Applicants Successful
overseas. The table
below indicates the Assistant Commissioner 19 1
applicants for Chief Superintendent 69 5
promotion to each Superintendent 145 18
rank and the Inspector 430 26
number who were
Sergeant 854 80
successful.
Total 1517 130
There were 1,794 permanent transfers of personnel effected during
1999. These included transfers on first allocation (from the Garda
College on completion of training); allocation on promotion and
consequential transfers.

EMPLOYMENT NOW 1998 – 1999


The final year of the EU Initiative ‘Employment NOW’ (New Opportunities for Women) Project
continued apace with training provided on skills including effective communication, team building,
computer training, influencing writing styles & report writing, negotiation skills and presentation skills.
These skills were provided to relevant groups targeted under the initiative which included women in
supervisory/management roles; the female support network; middle management assigned to monitoring
equal opportunities and staff attached to Human Resource Management.

An external professional communications company was commissioned to produce a video, having


regard to the provisions of the Employment Equality Act, 1998. The video will be used as a training aid
to provide instruction/guidance under this legislation throughout the organisation.

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AN GARDA SÍOCHÁNA ANNUAL REPORT 1999

INTERNAL AFFAIRS SECTION


GNÓTHAÍ INMHEÁNACH
The Internal Affairs section is headed by a Chief Superintendent and reports to Assistant Commissioner,
‘B’ Branch, Human Resource Management & Research. This section manages all matters relating to
discipline, complaints, civil proceedings, overseas service and Safety, Health & Welfare issues.

DISCIPLINE
The procedures for dealing with breaches of
discipline by members of An Garda Síochána are
contained in the Garda Síochána (Discipline)
Regulations, 1989 (S.I. No. 94/1989). During
1999, a total of 151 cases were reported to the
Internal Affairs Section. Following investigation,
cases may be disposed of by way of Sworn
Inquiry, Unsworn Inquiry or through the
provisions of Regulation 13.

Twenty seven (27) Sworn Inquiries were held


during the year, seven of which were still
pending at years end. Of the twenty cases
finalised, members were found to be in breach
in 14; found not in breach in two and the
remaining four were discontinued. The Sworn Inquiry Board may impose a fine of an amount equivalent
to up to four weeks pay or may recommend to the Commissioner that the member be reduced in rank,
dismissed or required to resign as an alternative to dismissal. No Unsworn Inquiries were held during the
year.

Members may appeal the decision of an Inquiry or the Commissioner to an independent Appeals Board
which consists of a person nominated by the Minister for Justice, Equality & Law Reform from a panel of
legal professionals; a member of An Garda Síochána of Commissioner rank nominated by the
Commissioner and a member of the Central Executive Committee of the member’s staff association. Six
appeals were finally determined during the year with original orders affirmed in four cases and the appeal
allowed in the remaining two.

Under Regulation 13, the member’s Divisional


Officer (Chief Superintendent) may adjudicate the
matter, provided the member admits the breach and
is agreeable to such disposal. Of the 42 cases
finalised within the provisions of Regulation 13,
fines totaling £3,340 were imposed in 24 cases and
in the remaining 18 the member was reprimanded,
warned, cautioned or advised.

Members of An Garda Síochána may be suspended


from duty pending the completion of a disciplinary
investigation for alleged serious misconduct or a
conviction by a Court. With the members consent
and only where appropriate, the member may be
re-allocated to a different area or assigned to other
duties as an alternative to suspension.

Members suspended from duty receive an allowance equivalent to 75% of basic pay and may also qualify
for an additional 15% in cases of special hardship. Ten (10) members were suspended during the year and
at years end a total of nineteen members remained on suspension.

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AN GARDA SÍOCHÁNA ANNUAL REPORT 1999

There were a total of 29 cases in which criminal proceedings were instituted against members of An
Garda Síochána during the year. Of these 17 cases were finalised with 13 resulting in convictions and
four dismissed. Convictions were recorded in respect of Drink Driving offences (10); other Road Traffic
offences (3); Public Order offence (1); Assaults (5); Sexual Assault (1); breach of Barring/Maintenance
Order (2). One member of An Garda Síochána was dismissed during the year and three resigned
involuntarily.

CIVIL PROCEEDINGS
In 1999, there was a total of 127 cases which were instituted and involved civil proceedings against the
Garda Commissioner and/or the State arising out of discharge of duty by members of An Garda Síochána.
This does not include proposed proceedings arising from traffic accidents involving Garda vehicles or
accidental injuries suffered by members of the public or An Garda Síochána.

COMPLAINTS
Complaints by the public against members of An Garda Síochána are dealt with in accordance with the
Garda Síochána (Complaints) Act, 1986 and statistics in this regard are published in the annual report
compiled by the Garda Síochána Complaints Board, a statutory body independent of An Garda Síochána.

SAFETY, HEALTH & WELFARE


With an ever increasing awareness of safety in the workplace, the Safety, Health & Welfare Section within
An Garda Síochána continues to deal with a growing range of issues affecting members of the
organisation. To heighten awareness within An Garda Siochana and to ensure that safe practices are
engaged in, this section continued or introduced a number of initiatives during the year, including:-
● A training programme in relation to the duties of Safety Representatives was devised and delivered to
162 Garda and Civilian personnel.
● A separate training provided for twenty five Peer
Supporters.
● A review of existing Safety Statements in each
Garda Division was carried conducted.
● The ‘Safety Representative of the Year Award’ was
presented for the third consecutive year.
● A Fire Safety Management Programme was
introduced by Fire Warden Trainers in each
Garda Division.
● Copies of the Irish Heart Foundation Booklet –
‘Your Heart’ – was distributed throughout the
organisation.
● Noise level surveys were carried out in specific sections including the Water Unit, Air Support Unit,
Dog Unit.

A total of 206 accidents were reported by An Garda Síochána to the Health and Safety Authority (HSA),
with assaults on Gardai and road traffic accidents accounting for the vast majority. Liaison is also
maintained with HSA Inspectors in the investigation of deaths in the workplace.

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AN GARDA SÍOCHÁNA ANNUAL REPORT 1999

OVERSEAS SERVICE
SEIRBHÍS THAR LEAR
Members of An Garda Síochána were deployed on three United Nations
Peacekeeping Missions during 1999 and continue to be recognised for the
professional and dedicated manner in which they carry out their duties. An
Garda Síochána remain fully committed to the establishment of peace and
democracy in the countries in which they serve. In addition to UN Missions
in Bosnia & Herzegovina; Cyprus and East Timor, Gardai were also
deployed with the OSCE in Croatia.

CYPRUS – UNFICYP
The mandate of UNFICYP is to prevent the renewal of fighting between the
different ethnic groups in Cyprus, by maintaining a peaceful atmosphere
within which a just and lasting solution to the Cyprus problem can be found
and to provide appropriate assistance for humanitarian agencies.
The Garda contingent is headed by a Chief Superintendent based at CIVPOL
Headquarters, Nicosia, with the posts of Police Commander and Deputy
Commander rotated on a six month basis between the Irish and their Australian counterparts. The
remaining fourteen Garda personnel deployed on the island, serve in the eight different CIVPOL Stations
there.

BOSNIA & HERZEGOVINA – UNITPF


The Garda commitment to this UN Mission remains at thirty five personnel, deployed throughout the
region and in varying capacities. The primary functions of the UNITPF on this mission is to monitor local
police forces and ensure that human rights are not violated. The mandate also includes a training brief
and advising Government authorities there on the organisation of effective law enforcement agencies.
Appropriate assistance is also provided to the relevant humanitarian agencies working within the region
including the UN High Commission for Refugees and the International Red Cross.

CROATIA – OSCE
Seven Garda personnel completed their tour of duty with
the OSCE (Organisation for Security and Cooperation in
Europe) in Croatia during the year. Five members were
assigned to serve in the Danube Region in Eastern Slavonia,
with two others serving as plain clothes officers outside that
area. Monitoring local police forces was the prime function
within the mandate, along with carrying out research and
preparing briefings on significant police issues.

EAST TIMOR – UNAMET


As a result of the ‘May 5th’ Agreement between the United
Nations, Indonesia and Portugal, a Civilian Police (CIVPOL)
contingent of two hundred and seventy two police officers were deployed to East Timor as part of the
United Nations Assistance Mission in East Timor. Nine members of An Garda Síochána were deployed to
East Timor in June and served in Dili, Suai, Los Palos and Baucau/Manatuto. The mandate of the
mission was confined to liaising with and advising the Indonesian Police in the discharge of their duties
and supervising the escort of ballot boxes in connection with the Referendum.
In the days after the Referendum there was extreme tension within the region, mounting violent incidents
and open threats against UN personnel. As the situation deteriorated UN personnel were required to
leave their accommodation and gather at the UN Compound in Dili. Following the announcement of the
Referendum results and ongoing attacks on the UN Headquarters in Dili, it was deemed unsafe for
personnel to remain there. Most of the UN personnel remaining in East Timor at that time were evacuated
to Darwin, Australia on the September 10th, with all nine Garda personnel, thankfully returning safely to
Ireland on September, 25th.

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AN GARDA SÍOCHÁNA ANNUAL REPORT 1999

DIRECTOR OF TRAINING AND QUALITY SERVICE


STIÚRTHÓIR D’OILIÚINT & CHÁILÍOCHT NA SEIRBHÍSE
The Director of Training & Quality Service is of Chief Superintendent rank, reporting to the Assistant
Commissioner, ‘B’ Branch, Human Resource Management & Research. The Director is responsible for
the delivery of all training & development interventions and the coordination and implementation of the
‘Garda Quality Service Action Plan’ for members of the organisation. Training programmes are delivered
at the Garda College, Templemore; Harcourt Square, Dublin and at Divisional In-Service Centres
throughout the country. The Mission Statement for Garda training is:-
“In accordance with corporate policy and in partnership with our stakeholders we are committed
to fulfilling the educational, training and developmental needs of all our customers by
providing and supporting quality professional and personal learning opportunities”.

STUDENT/PROBATIONER TRAINING
The review of Student Garda Education/Training Programme was published in June, 1999. The report
recommends the introduction of a competency based training/education and development programme.
It also recommends significant changes to the methods of training and educating Gardai in the future in
order to meet the requirements for policing Irish society throughout the millennium.

BACHELOR OF ARTS (POLICE MANAGEMENT) DEGREE NCEA


Eighteen senior Garda managers completed this course in December, 1999 and are the first group to
graduate from the Garda College with a BA Degree award in Police Management, awarded by the
National Council for Educational Awards. In October, 1999, a further fifteen senior Garda officers
commenced the Core Module of this Degree courses, while seventeen Garda Superintendents
commenced the Foundation Module of the course. Participants complete the two and half year course
by way of distance learning and attend at the Garda College for tutorials during the academic year.

GARDA SÍOCHÁNA HUMAN RIGHTS INITIATIVE


The Garda Síochána Human Rights Initiative 1999-2000 was officially launched in October, 1999 and is
coordinated from the Garda College. The programme responds to an international Council of Europe
project which aims to create an awareness of human rights within European Police Services and to
challenge police authorities to initiate activities which promote the protection of Human Rights.

The main aims of the initiative are:-


● To develop educational and training interventions designed to inculcate respect for human rights and
personal dignity in all Gardai;
● To audit Garda policies and codes of professional conduct.

The initiative will culminate in


the celebration of
‘International Human Rights
Week’ from October 28th to
November 4th, 2000. During
that week, which
commemorates the 50th
anniversary of the signing of
the European Convention on
Human Rights, the police
services in each member state
will present the achievements
of the programme to the
public.

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AN GARDA SÍOCHÁNA ANNUAL REPORT 1999

GARDA TRAINING CONTRIBUTION EU AND OTHER POLICE FORCES


Primarily through the Garda College, An Garda Síochána continued to forge international links and
contribute to the development of training issues in other police forces in the European Union and
elsewhere.
● Police Officers from France, Germany, Cyprus, Belgium and Northern Ireland attended an Information
Seminar at the Garda College in August/September, 1999. The objective of the seminar was to develop
and strengthen contacts between police forces throughout Europe.

● Fifteen Police Officers representing Austria, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Germany,
Latvia, Lithuania, The Netherlands, Poland and Spain attended a Joint European Police Studies Course
at the Garda College in February/March, 1999. The course content included language development,
lectures on policing topics, visits to areas of policing and cultural interest, development of particular
professional interests and practical work. The course was part funded by the European Commission
under the OisÌn Programme.

● The Garda College hosted and coordinated an EU funded exchange programme in the area of firearms
anti-terrorist trainers. The project involves exchange and study visits between the participating
countries, which are:- Ireland, England, Germany, France, Sweden and Northern Ireland.

● A group of 23 personnel from Pennsylvania State University were hosted by the Garda College during
August, 1999. The participants comprised of police officers, correctional officers and probation
personnel and the visit provided the participants with an opportunity to undertake a comparative
analysis of policing systems outside of the United States.

● As part of an Exchange Programme established in 1993 between the Garda College and the Police
College at St. Cyr, Lyon, France, a delegation comprising of eight French Police Officers visited the
Garda College during 1999. The purpose of the visit was to advance their language skills, while
studying comparative police and criminal justice systems. They visited various sections within the
organisation and met a large cross section of personnel involved in the administration of justice. Five
Garda officers also undertook a similar visit during 1999 to the French Police College at St. Cyr.

UNITED NATIONS PEACEKEEPING TRAINING PROGRAMMES


In addition to training Garda personnel embarking on UN peace keeping missions, the Garda College
also conducted a training programme for personnel from the Royal Ulster Constabulary prior to their
departure to Kosovo. An Garda Síochána has successfully completed many similar peace keeping
missions and were pleased to be in a position to assist their RUC colleagues with their preparation for
this mission.

JOINT LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME


The Joint Leadership Development Programme (JLDP) represented a most significant corroborative police
training and development initiative between An Garda Síochána and the Royal Ulster Constabulary. It
was facilitated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and financed by the United States State
Department and the FBI.

The programme was run over three cycles by teams in the United States FBI Academy, Quantico and
New York; the Garda College and in Belfast and was designed to develop confidence in the police
service. The goals of the programme were:
4 To improve the interaction between the Police Services of Ireland and the communities they serve.
4 To identify and use problem solving techniques to resolve common police/community issues and
4 To understand the important elements of human rights and human dignity.

The participants reflected a broad cross-section of both organisations in terms of rank, gender, cultural
tradition, operational & non operational backgrounds. Structured in teams, the group put forward a set of
proposals which focused on planning, personnel, training, operations and law/policy, which if
implemented have the capacity to enhance policing in Ireland.

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AN GARDA SÍOCHÁNA ANNUAL REPORT 1999

GARDA NATIONAL QUALITY SERVICE BUREAU


AN BIÚRÓ CAILÍOCHT NA SEIRBHÍSE NÁISIÚNTA NA NGARDAÍ
The Garda National Quality Service Bureau was established under the directorship of the Chief
Superintendent, Director of Training & Quality Service and has a National Manager of Superintendent
rank. Since establishment, work has continued on pursuing and implementing the objectives set out in
the Policing Plan 1998/99. All divisions have now set up their Divisional Quality Service Teams and have
established. or are in the process of establishing, Customer Panels. Work is ongoing on five local issues
identified by theses teams and a draft Customer Chart has been prepared and is being examined.

Research designed to examine the internal workings of the organisation was conducted by the ESRI in
September, 1999. The findings of the ‘999’ response time research was circulated to the National
Customer Service Panel. Preparatory work has taken place on a Garda pilot project to examine bullying
in schools and exploratory work also commenced on the feasibility of adopting the model of the
European Foundation for Quality Management (EFQM).

STRATEGIC MANAGEMENT
BAINSTÍOCHTA STRAITÉISÍ
The Strategic Management Initiative (SMI) process continued, in consultation with
staff associations, developing the wide ranging recommendations contained in the
SMI Report (Report of the Steering Group on the Efficiency and Effectiveness of
An Garda Síochána, June, 1997).
The SMI Implementation Team, is headed by an Assistant Commissioner and consists of a small group of
administrative and specialist support staff. External consultants have been
and continue to be engaged as the needs arise to provide dedicated
specialist advice to the Team on specific issues.
During 1999, in co-operation with staff associations and senior
management, agreement was reached in piloting a new roster system; a
Director of Finance was selected; a number of baseline customer surveys
were completed by the Quality Service Bureau and a review of Student
Probationer Training was completed.
A revised promotion system has been developed and is currently being
examined by the Promotion Advisory Council. Firm proposals on a
comprehensive programme of civilianisation were developed and the
process of consultation with staff associations continued.
Progress has been well advanced on a revised Resource Allocation
Model; senior training and development; the Human Resource
Management functions; structure and on a Performance and
Accountability framework. Staff at all levels continue to be involved in
the process through a wide range of seminars, workshops and focus groups as part of the policy of
inclusiveness in the process of change.
The SMI Implementation Team co-ordinate many activities which will have medium to long terms
implications for An Garda Síochána and how it does its business. These projects, which are at various
stages of completion, will be progressed further and the commitment to change management will
continue.

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AN GARDA SÍOCHÁNA ANNUAL REPORT 1999

POLICING THE MILLENNIUM CHANGEOVER


AG PÓILÍNIÚ ATHRÚ NA MIL-AOISE
Planning within An Garda Síochána for policing
the millennium changeover period commenced
in January, 1999. There were three key areas
which required to be addressed and contingency
plans formulated, namely:- in-house Garda
operating systems; the policing of celebratory
events and overall issue of the consequences of
failure of general computer systems.

A coordination group was established by the


Commissioner, headed by an Assistant
Commissioner, with representatives from each of
the Garda Regions, along with representatives
from various specialist sections within An Garda
Síochána including:- Garda Telecommunications
Section, Information Technology Section, Garda
Press & Public Relations Office and Garda
Training.

The possible consequences of wide-scale computer systems failure over the millennium period was
firmly placed in the unknown category, making adequate planning particularly difficult.

At that early stage there was also a distinct lack of firm details available on the number and extent of
millennium celebratory events. While groups indicated, at an early stage, that they would be holding
large events, unfortunately, specific details were neither known or available.

Despite these unknown variables, An Garda Síochána were expected to properly plan for and implement
a ‘normal’ policing service during the period and be in a position to assist any other services who may
experience difficulties.

It was therefore considered prudent to plan for a ‘doomsday’ scenario, as some had predicted, on the
basis that anything less would be a bonus.

IN HOUSE SYSTEMS
All critical systems within An Garda Síochána needed to be Y2K compliant to ensure that the
organisation would not suffer any deterioration of support systems during the millennium changeover
period. In addition, contingency plans to ensure maintenance of these critical system needed to be
devised. As far back as 1992, the Garda IT Section undertook a strategy study, which included the
complete replacement of Garda mainframe computer systems, which were not and could not be Y2K
complaint.

Systems were identified and prioritised for either replacement or upgrade. Phase one of the strategy
involved making a complete inventory of all hardware and software and bespoke applications,
establishing Y2K status and identifying systems or elements which required upgrading or replacement.
Phase two was concerned with assessing the exposure of An Garda Síochána’s business functions to
non-compliant applications and drawing up plans to address non-compliant elements.

At years end all Garda systems had been replaced or rendered Y2K compliant, including all IT systems
and telecommunications networks. A 24 hour Help Desk was established to facilitate the reporting of
any systems difficulties and Garda technicians were deployed throughout the country to ensure that any
faults identified were attended to with minimum delay.

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AN GARDA SÍOCHÁNA ANNUAL REPORT 1999

POLICING CELEBRATORY EVENTS


The coordinating agency for celebratory events over the millennium changeover period was the National
Millennium Committee. Specific details of large events were not available until very close to the critical
period. In addition, there were a whole host of locally organised events throughout the country.

The Garda strategy for the period was devised on a three tier system. The first required an assessment of
requirements to carry out normal policing functions. The second phase was to assess additional
requirements needed to police special events. This was a particularly difficult phase due to the lack of
firm information at an early stage. The final phase was concerned with endeavouring to establish the
Garda requirements which would be sufficient to deal with any eventuality that may arise as a result of
the millennium changeover.

Regional and local policing plans were drawn up to ensure that the policing response was sufficient to
meet what ever demands were placed upon it. In excess of 4,000 Garda personnel were on duty during
the critical changeover period, in addition to many others providing back up and support in
communications centres, Telecommunications & IT help desks, etc. All Garda specialist support units,
including air support, mounted, dog and water units, were fully utilised at strategic locations.

COMPUTER SYSTEMS FAILURE


The greatest challenge to An Garda Síochána was planning for the unknown consequences should the
millennium bug actually affect computer systems. All vital services are dependent on computer systems to
varying degrees and while these services are not the direct responsibility of An Garda Síochána, any
widespread disruption would invariably led to an increase in demand for Garda services. There was
diverging views from the experts as the extent of the chaos that the millennium bug would cause – from
absolutely no effect through to widespread disruption and chaos.

It was possible that the millennium bug would affect a range of systems perhaps resulting in disruption to
electricity supply; street lighting; hospitals; power plants; airports; rail systems and a whole range of other
vital services. While An Garda Síochána have no direct role in the provision of these services,
nevertheless any significant disruption would have community safety issues, which is an area where An
Garda Síochána have direct responsibilities and obligations. The operational plan, compiled with the
complete assistance and cooperation of many agencies, was extensive providing for an appropriate
response by An Garda Síochána across a wide range of possible scenarios.

Ultimately, the wide-spread chaos that some had predicted never materialised and despite the significant
resources deployed in the preparation stages, An Garda Síochána were quite satisfied to leave the plan on
the shelf unused.

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AN GARDA SÍOCHÁNA ANNUAL REPORT 1999

DEPUTY COMMISSIONER, OPERATIONS


LEAS CHOIMISINÉIR, FEIDHMIÚCHÁIN

Operational responsibility of An Garda Síochána rests


with the Deputy Commissioner, Operations. Based at Operations
Garda Headquarters, he has a small support staff headed
Deputy Commissioner, Operations
by a Superintendent.

Overseeing investigations into serious incidents and Superintendent


special event policing are primary responsibilities. Special Services
Operational Garda policy is subject to constant review by
Operations and procedural arrangements for operational
matters are determined by the Deputy Commissioner.
Assistant Commissioner
Where appropriate, he advises the Commissioners on
Crime, Security & Traffic
these matters.
Assistant Commissioner
The Deputy Commissioner also holds the Garda brief in
Eastern Region
respect of cross border policing co-operation.

Following the introduction of regionalisation in 1996, the Assistant Commissioner


jurisdiction now comprises of six Garda Regions, each Dublin Metropolitan Region
headed by an Assistant Commissioner. These Assistant
Commissioners, along with the Assistant Commissioner, Assistant Commissioner
South Eastern Region
‘C’ Branch, Crime, Security & Traffic, report directly to the
Deputy Commissioner on all operational matters.
Assistant Commissioner
Southern Region

Assistant Commissioner
Western Region

Assistant Commissioner
Northern Region

SPECIAL SERVICES (OPERATIONS) Special Services


SEIRBHÍSÍ SPEISIALTA (OIBRÍOCHTAÍ) Superintendent
Special Services (Operations)
Special Services (Operations) is headed by a Superintendent,
reporting directly to Deputy Commissioner, Operations.
Garda Air Support Unit
Special Services (Operations) consists of four units who provide
specialist support for other operational units throughout the country. Garda Mounted Unit
These units are the Garda Air Support Unit based at the Garda
Station, Casement Aerodrome, Baldonnel; the Garda Mounted Unit
based at the Garda Stables, Aras an Uachtarain; the Garda Water Unit Garda Water Unit
at Santry Garda Station, Dublin and the Garda Dog Unit at
Kilmainham Garda Station, Dublin. Garda Dog Unit

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AN GARDA SÍOCHÁNA ANNUAL REPORT 1999

GARDA AIR SUPPORT UNIT


AONAD TACAÍOCHT AEIR AN GHARDA
1999 saw the Garda Air Support Unit going from strength to strength. The unit
currently has a Squirrel twin engine helicopter and a Defender 4000 fixed
wing aircraft. Initial contracts were finalised during the year for the purchase
of a second helicopter for the Garda Air Support Unit.
The unit provides a patrol response and surveillance capability in both covert
and overt nature to operational units of An Garda Síochána, from its base at
Casement Aerodrome, Baldonnel. Works were completed during the year on a
new Garda Facility within the aerodrome and will be due for occupation
shortly.
During the first two years of operations, the
potential benefits of the unit to assist both
mainstream and specialist policing were realised.
The Garda Air Support Unit has become an
integral part of every day policing and this has
led to an ever increasing demand for air support.
The twelve-month period of 1999, saw 1,811
taskings being carried out during 1622 flying
hours. Once again, these figures are amongst the
highest tasks and flying hours in comparison to
other European police air support units, relative
to the unit size.
GASU operations in 1999 assisted, both directly and indirectly, in the arrest of 226 persons, the recovery
of 62 stolen vehicles and the locating of 4 missing persons. However these figures are not a complete
reflection of the contribution the unit has made to the overall policing operations.
The unit has continued to prove the effective use of both aircraft in combating crime, one of the more
notable incidents being the apprehending of three armed raiders in the Wicklow Mountains. In this
instance, the Garda helicopter landed in a remote location and a Garda Observer detained the three
raiders until the arrival of ground units.

The unit strength consists of four Sergeants and twelve


Gardai under the control of Superintendent Special Services.
The unit provides an 18-hour per day rapid response service,
with a call out response operating outside of this period. The
addition of a third aircraft will allow for a full 24 hour rapid
response being available.
In addition to supporting regular policing functions, the
Unit’s commitment to special operations continued. The Unit
played it’s part in operations Freeflow & Clearway – traffic
management initiatives in the greater Dublin area – along
with providing air cover at many large events. The most
notable being the Millennium Celebrations; Slane Concert; Skyfest fireworks display and the visit of HRH
Prince Edward.
The capacity of GASU was extended during the year to include digital photography. This has been found
to be a very effective and efficient tool in supporting operational units in the planning and executing of
Garda tasks. Digital photographic missions accounted for 7% of the total mission tasks for the year.

Clearway and Freeflow initiatives accounted for 8% of the total mission flights. While primarily traffic
operations, units are available to respond to non-traffic related calls. As a direct result of the air support
assistance, various local authorities responsible for road engineering have acted on numerous
suggestions from the unit, in relation to road layout and traffic sequencing.

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AN GARDA SÍOCHÁNA ANNUAL REPORT 1999

Breakdown of tasks performed by the Garda Air Support Unit in 1999

Other 1%
Aerial Photography 9% Traffic/Events 14%
Armed Incidents 2%
Security/Operations 21% Disturbance 1%
PR/Demo 2%
Transit Time 8%
Burglary 1%
Pursuits 5%
Escorts 1%

Robbery 3%
Training/Equipment Checks 10%
Searches 22%

1999 was marred by the unfortunate accident and tragic loss of life of four Air Corps personnel in the
Dauphin helicopter crash in Waterford in early July. The pilots and crew of the ill-fated aircraft were well
known to the Garda Air Support Unit and their untimely passing has heighten the awareness of the risks
associated with aviation in serving the public.

GARDA MOUNTED UNIT


AONAD MARC AN GHARDA
The Garda Mounted Unit was established in March,
1998 and completed its first full calendar year of
operation in 1999. The Unit consists of one Sergeant
and eight Gardai. Since the establishment of the Unit
with six horses, a further three fully Irish bred horses
have been acquired.
One horse, Fionn Rua, was donated to An Garda
Síochána in May, 1999, by the Irish Draught Horse
Society and in April, 1999, Oisín was purchased. The Henry Street/Mary Street
Partnership, Dublin donated Setanta to the Garda Mounted Unit in December,
1999.
The Garda Mounted Unit are now established at their permanent accommodation at the Garda Stables,
Aras an Uachtaráin, available with the kind permission of An tUachtarain, Mrs. Mary McAleese.
Extensive construction work commenced during the year at this facility and on completion will provide
an accommodation block with offices and a classroom; additional stabling; an extended tack room;
forge and a wide variety of necessary equine and yard facilities.
As part of the ongoing development of the Unit, a number of Garda members are now fully proficient in
both schooling young horses and training riders, making the Unit completely self sufficient in these
aspects.
The Unit deploys to the city centre of Dublin on a daily basis on solo patrols. They have also deployed
throughout the Dublin Metropolitan Region as part of regular crime prevention patrols and at special
events including sporting fixtures at Croke Park, Lansdowne Road and Tolka Park among others. As a
national Unit, members and mounts have attended many events throughout the country as part of the
event operational policing plan, including:-

● Athy ● Ennis ● Mill Street


● Ballinsloe Horse Fair ● Killorglin Puck Fair ● National Ploughing Championships
● Bandon ● Kinsale ● Punchestown
● Birr Vintage Week ● Lee Tunnel Opening ● Slane Concert
● Cashel ● Limerick Festival ● Tinahealy Show
● Castlemahon ● Listowel Races ● World Cup Rugby, Limerick
● Cork Show ● Mallow

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AN GARDA SÍOCHÁNA ANNUAL REPORT 1999

One of the highlights of the year was the participation of


eight Garda members and mounts in the St. Patrick’s Day
Parade in Dublin where in excess of half a million people
viewed the event as it passed through the city centre.
In conjunction with local Garda Neighbourhood Policing
initiatives, members of the Garda Mounted Unit have, in
1999, become involved with the Fettercairn Horse Project,
Tallaght; Baskin Equestrian Centre, Coolock and the
Ballymun Horse Project. These initiatives have proved to be
very worthwhile for the Unit, the local participants and for
Garda/community relations generally.
Mounted patrols have proved to be a very effective policing tool, primarily as a crime prevention
strategy. From a crime detection aspect the Unit have contributed, directly and indirectly, to the arrest of
some 136 persons along with the recovery of eleven stolen vehicles and a number of drug seizures.
As a relatively new addition to policing, the Garda Mounted Unit continue to develop their skills and
abilities. Relevant items of mounted police equipment continue to be researched and secured, where
appropriate. In addition, the Unit continue to develop their personal skills both in terms of riders and
mounts and specific programmes are being compiled in respect of searching techniques and public
order functions. After just eighteen months in existence, the Unit has more that realised it’s initial
potential and continues to grow and develop as an operational policing Unit, both in their own right and
in support of other Garda units and operations.

GARDA WATER UNIT


AONAD UISCE AN GHARDA
The Garda Water Unit was formed in March, 1999 having been previously called
the Garda Sub Aqua Unit and Garda Underwater Unit. It continued to provide
essential operational services to An Garda Síochána across a wide range of
serious criminal investigations, security searches and missing person searches. The
Unit consists of two Sergeants and eight Gardai, all of whom are qualified divers,
and utilises a vast range of equipment including three large Rigid Inflatable Boats.
The Unit were deployed to twenty nine (29) missing person searches during the
year, including a number under the Operation Trace enquiry. Eighteen (18)
weapons searches were carried out resulting in the recovery of a number of firearms and ammunitions,
including evidence in murder and other serious cases. Four (4) stolen property searches were
undertaken, which again resulted in the recovery of items of evidential value.
Security searches are a vital part of any major security operation and the Unit were deployed on ten (10)
such searches during the year in connection with high profile visits and events, including the First Lady
Hilary Clinton; Slane Concert; 2FM Beat on the Street; MTV Awards and visits of foreign Navy vessels to
ports in Ireland.
Safety is of paramount importance in this dangerous
policing activity and the Unit continues to engage in
many training programmes relevant to their tasks.
During the course of the year under review, various
members of the Unit completed the following courses:-
HSE Part IV & III Divers course; Dive Supervisors and
Dive Contractors courses; safety officers course;
occupational first aid and first aid instructors courses;
abseiling; sea mammal rescue course; confined
spaces/breathing apparatus courses and basic canoe
handling. Many of these training programmes were
run jointly with other agencies, including Dublin Fire
Brigade, Civil Defence and included a series of
exercises with the Irish Marine Emergency Services
helicopters involving wet and dry winching at sea and

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AN GARDA SÍOCHÁNA ANNUAL REPORT 1999

air recovery of bodies from water and boats. This type of training improves the operational skills of the
team members and also provides an opportunity to further enhance the relations and spirit of co-
operation with these organisations.

Within An Garda Síochána, the Garda Water Unit continued to cross train with other Garda Units
including the Garda Air Support Unit, Garda Dog Unit, Emergency Response Unit and Tactical Training
Unit. In preparation for the delivery of the Garda Patrol Launch, Unit members successfully completed
courses in safety boat handling, powerboat handling and motor cruising handling.

GARDA DOG UNIT


AONAD MADRA AN GHARDA
The Garda Dog Unit is based at
Kilmainham Garda Station, Dublin
and consists of two Sergeants and
fourteen Gardai based at
Kilmainham, with a further two
Garda handlers based at Cork and
Limerick. There are 19 dogs in
Kilmainham and one each in Cork
and Limerick

Dogs are trained in specific disciplines for General


Purpose Work; Drug detection and Explosive detection
and consists of a mix of Labradors, Springer Spaniels,
German Shepherds and an English Flat Coated Retriever.

The Unit deployed to a total of 2,025 operations during


the year including 767 drug detection searches, 658 explosive searches and 600 foot patrols, in addition
to missing person searches, crime scene searches and crowd control operations. While based in Dublin,
the Unit is deployed throughout the jurisdiction.

Handlers and dogs are subject to ongoing training programmes including exercises in conjunction with
other Garda specialist units. During the course of the year a handler and dog were trained in a new
discipline of the recovery of human remains on land and over water and future developments will
include the training of specialist dogs in firearms recovery. A selected number of members of the Garda
Dog Unit qualified during the year as Training Instructors.

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AN GARDA SÍOCHÁNA ANNUAL REPORT 1999

REGIONAL PROFILES
PRÓIFÍL RÉIGIÚNACH
Since January, 1996, a Regional Command structure Northern
Region Northern
has been in place within An Garda Síochána, and the
Ireland
country has been divided into six separate regions,
each headed by an Assistant Commissioner.

This management structure provides a more effective


and efficient delivery of the police service across and
within regions. The map on the right shows the outline
Western
of the regions. Region
Eastern
Region
DUBLIN
The chart below provides an insight into the
differences between the six regions. The chart shows
the proportions of crime, personnel, population and
area in the six regions. It is followed by a more
South Eastern
detailed profile of each of the regions.
Region
Southern
Region

Percentage breakdown by region of Annual Crime,


Garda Personnel, Population and Area

60
Crime

50 Personnel
Population

40 Area

30

20

10

0 Dublin Southern South Eastern Western Northern Eastern

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AN GARDA SÍOCHÁNA ANNUAL REPORT 1999

EASTERN REGION EASTERN REGION IN FIGURES


Population: 599,894
Area: 12,864 km2
RÉIGIÚN AN OIRTHIR Primary/Secondary Roads: 1,117.6 km
Regional Crime 1999: 11,196
Eastern Crime per 1,000 Population: 18.21
Region Regional Detections: 1999: 4,683
Detection Rate: 42%
Road Traffic Offences: 29,494
Garda Strength: 1,362
Garda Vehicles: 196
Garda Stations: 127
Garda Districts: 18

The Eastern Region consists of the Garda Divisions of Longford/Westmeath; Louth/Meath; Laois/Offaly
and Carlow/Kildare. Reporting to the Deputy Commissioner, Operations, the region is headed by a
Regional Assistant Commissioner based at Mullingar.

Crime recorded in the region for the year showed a decrease of 2% when compared to 1998 and the
detection rate for the year stood at 42%, the national average.

A major crime initiative, Operation Advocate, commenced in 1998 and continued through 1999. The
operation involved the deployment of members of the regional force, assisted by National Units, in a
planned approach to curb armed crime throughout the region and in neighbouring regions.

The strategy was coordinated through the Regional Office and proved to be a most successful tactic and
will continue as appropriate.

The region includes 90 miles of coastline, all within the Louth/Meath Division stretching from Carlingford
in County Louth to Rush in Co. Dublin. A Coastal watch Scheme was launched in this area with the
appointment of Liaison Gardai in each Garda Sub District. This Coastal Watch Scheme compliments
other similar schemes throughout the country.

Punchestown Racecourse,
established in 1850,
played host to in excess of
100,000 at it’s annual
racing festival in May.
The facility continues to
grow, as do the crowds
attending and the policing
and traffic management
plan continues to be
adapted to meet the
policing requirements for
this and other events. The
policing of these events,
both in the planning and
implementation stages, is
significant and the event
was policed this year with
no serious incidents
occurring.

Another significant event in the region is the Annual Agricultural Show in Tullamore each August. While
only lasting for one day, the event attracts some 35,000 patrons and again a proper and successful
policing and traffic management strategy was devised and implemented.

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AN GARDA SÍOCHÁNA ANNUAL REPORT 1999

DUBLIN DUBLIN REGION IN FIGURES


Population: 1,082,048

METROPOLITAN REGION Area: 869 km2


Primary/Secondary Roads: 153.5 km
Regional Crime 1999: 41,821
DUBLIN Crime per 1,000 Population: 38.63

RÉIGIÚN LIMISTÉAR Regional Detections 1999: 16,572


Detection Rate: 40%
Road Traffic Offences::135,855

CHATHAIR ÁTHA CLIATH Garda Strength: 3,669


Garda Vehicles: 472
Garda Stations: 43
Garda Districts: 17

In any year, the policing demands within the greater Dublin area are considerable and the year under
review was no different. The Regional Assistant Commissioner is based at Harcourt Square and is
responsible for an area stretching from Kilcoole, Co. Wicklow to the south; Swords to the north and
Leixlip to the west. The region is divided into six geographical Garda Divisions – North; North Central;
South; South Central; East and West. In addition, the Assistant Commissioner is responsible for two
functional Garda Divisions, the Dublin Metropolitan Region Traffic Unit and the Special Detective Unit.

The success of 1997 and 1998, when reported crime in the region decreased by 14% and 10%
respectively, were repeated in 1999 with a further decrease of 8%. The crime detection rate for the
region stood at 40%.

Dublin was the focus of a number of special events all of which required detailed advance planning and
significant commitments over the periods of the events. Considerable resources were deployed to
satisfactorily police the St. Patrick’s Festival weekend; the MTV Awards and the Millennium period.

Many other major national and international sporting and social events placed an immense burden on
policing resources in the region. All, however, took place in safety and relative comfort for participants,
attendees and city residents alike.

A number of policing operations continued or were initiated during the year as part of the various
strategies adopted in respect of crime prevention; crime detection; drug misuse and traffic management
& enforcement. These included:-
● Dóchas – anti drugs initiative.
● Cleanstreet/Night Cap – target
specific drug investigation
operations.
● Freeflow/Clearway – traffic
relieving measures.
● Mustard – targeting specific
larcenies from building sites.
● Boulevard/Nicotine/Mainstreet –
city centre drug, crime and
public order operations.
● Godfrey – targeting stolen
motorbikes.

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AN GARDA SÍOCHÁNA ANNUAL REPORT 1999

Northern
Region NORTHERN REGION NORTHERN REGION IN FIGURES
Population: 315,129
Area: 11,306 km2
RÉIGIÚN AN TUAISCIRT Primary/Secondary Roads: 745.2 km
Regional Crime 1999: 3,489
Crime per 1,000 Population: 11.1
Regional Detections 1999: 1,563
Detection Rate: 45%
Road Traffic Offences;: 10,057
Garda Strength: 1,072
Garda Vehicles: 139
Garda Stations: 108
Garda Districts: 14

The region comprises of the Garda Divisions of Sligo/Leitrim; Donegal and Cavan /Monaghan, with the
Regional Assistant Commissioner based in Sligo. While the region has a low population base compared to
other regions, it’s primary policing focus revolves around the 291 border points along it’s 359 kilometre
length. Despite advances made in the peace process, significant resources are deployed along the border
areas and throughout the region to curb terrorist activity.

Reported crime in the region increased by 70 crimes representing a 2% increase over the 1998 figures,
which had shown a 3% decrease over the previous year. The crime detection rate in the region stood at
45%, above the national average of 42%.

Despite the commitment to border security, considerable regular policing activities were undertaken by
the regional force. ‘Drugs/Alcohol Abuse, Awareness and Prevention’ was the theme of the Youth
Achievement Award Scheme. As with the inaugural award scheme initiated in 1998, this scheme proved
very successful with very high levels of participation by schools and youth clubs throughout the entire
region.

As with all Garda Regions, traffic management and enforcement of road traffic laws were a particular
focus for the regional force. The primary marker of successful road safety strategies is the number of
fatalities recorded. In the year under review, sadly xx persons lost their lives on the roads of this region.
However, this represented a XX decrease over the previous year and Garda activity will continue to make
our roads safer for all road users.

During the year, the Northern Region successfully applied for European Union funding under the Oisín
Programme. The project was to examine the extent and effects of controlled drugs in rural areas, with
special emphasis on amphetamines, ecstasy,
heroin, cocaine and cannabis and to formulate
programmes to counteract this threat. This was the
first time funding was secured for a project
managed by a section of An Garda Síochána other
than a specialised national unit.

The project incorporated a number of conferences


at which our Project Partners attended. The first
conference within the programme took place in
Buncrana, Donegal in October and was attended
by representatives from Dumfries & Galloways
Police, Scotland; Heddlu/Gwent Police, Wales;
Police Judiciaria, Portugal; Jyvaskyla Police,
Central Finland and our close colleagues from the
Royal Ulster Constabulary. Initial evaluation
indicates that this joint international approach,
even to very local problems, is very beneficial and
worthwhile.

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AN GARDA SÍOCHÁNA ANNUAL REPORT 1999

SOUTH EASTERN SOUTH EASTERN REGION IN


FIGURES
Population: 452,109
REGION Area: 12,977km2
Primary/Secondary Roads: 906.5km
Regional Crime 1999: 7,502

RÉIGIÚN AN Crime per 1,000 Population: 16.59%


Regional Detections 1999: 3,929
Detection Rate: 52%
South Eastern
Region OÍR-DHEISCIRT Road Traffic Offences:: 21,205
Garda Strength: 923
Garda Vehicles: 130
Garda Stations: 117
Garda Districts: 16

Reported crime in the region increased by 7% for the year under review, with an additional 520 crimes
reported. The detection rate however stood at a very satisfactory 52%, which is well above the national
average of 42%.

The success achieved in the crime detection rate can be attributed to a significant effort throughout the
region to focus on persistent offenders and criminals travelling to the region to commit crime. Local and
regional operations, such as:- ‘Apex’; ‘Baseline’ and ‘Deise’ have contributed to the high crime
detection rate, particularly in respect of attacks on the elderly and armed crime, throughout all three
divisions in the region.

Proactive measures to target drug dealing/dealers were increased during the year particularly in the
larger urban areas in the region and proved to be very successful. Interagency cooperation between the
relevant agencies involved in the fight against drugs was also an efficient feature of our combined efforts.
A notable success in this regard was the seizure of 40 kilos of Cannabis Resin at Rosslare Port and the
subsequent arrest of a number of drug dealers from outside the region.

The management of traffic policing and enforcement within the region was reviewed and adjusted
considerably during the year. While traffic management and enforcement has a number of key
objectives, the reduction in the numbers of persons killed on our roads is by far the most important.
During the year under review fifty five (55) persons lost their lives on roads in this region. This compares
with 81 in 1998, showing a decrease of 32% considerably higher than the national average.

Within the crime prevention strategies adopted in the region, a Garda Special Project - Services Working
Alongside Youth (SWAY) was launched in Waterford City, with two further projects planned in Wexford.
Garda operations against terrorism, particularly dissident Republican elements, continued in the region
throughout the year with a number of operations successfully concluded, including a significant arms
find.

As with all other Garda Regions, this


area played host to a number of large
public events. The largest during the
year was the Fleadh Cheoil in
Enniscorthy in August which
attracted in excess of 160,000
persons to the town over a three day
period. A considerable amount of
interagency planning and
cooperation was necessary for the
successful and peaceful holding the
event.

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AN GARDA SÍOCHÁNA ANNUAL REPORT 1999

SOUTHERN REGION SOUTHERN REGION IN FIGURES


Population: 716,000
Area: 14,936 km2
RÉIGIÚN AN DEISCIRT Primary/Secondary Roads: 1,152.7km
Regional Crime 1999: 12,262
Crime per 1,000 Population: 17.06
Regional Detections 1999: 5,275
Detection Rate: 43%
Road Traffic Offences:: 51,573
Garda Strength: 1,733
Southern Garda Vehicles: 237
Region Garda Stations: 162
Garda Districts: 22

The Southern region covers a huge area providing both a mix of rural and urban communities. It consists
of five Garda Divisions covering the counties of Cork, Kerry and Limerick, with the Regional Assistant
Commissioner based at Angelsea Street, Cork.

Reported crime in the region recorded a significant 7% decrease when compared with the previous year,
with the crime a detection rate of 43%, marginally above the national average of 42%.

Crime Prevention and Road Safety Initiatives were to the forefront of policing throughout the region. One
such crime prevention strategy ‘Operation Longnights’, was implemented to target a spate of attacks on
business premises in rural parts of the region, culminating in the recovery of in excess of £46,000 worth
of stolen property and the arrest of the main culprits.

While the number of vehicles travelling on the 1,152 kilometres of primary and secondary roads in the
region continued to increase, the number of persons fatally injured decreased by two and the number
seriously injured decreased by 35, when compared with the previous year. The use of sophisticated
electronic surveillance traffic cameras intercepted almost 40,000 vehicles for excessive speed and was
just one of the many road safety strategies employed throughout the region to improve the safety on our
roads

The National Ploughing Championships were held at Castletownroche, Co. Cork in September, 1999 and
attracted a record attendance over its three days. A major traffic and anti-crime operation was effected to
ensure free passage of vehicles to and from the site and to contribute to the safe and peaceful hosting of
this significant event. As with the policing of such major events, significant advance planning was
undertaken and considerable numbers of Garda personnel deployed to the event.

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AN GARDA SÍOCHÁNA ANNUAL REPORT 1999

WESTERN REGION WESTERN REGION IN FIGURES


Population: 445,389
Area: 17,739km2

Western
RÉIGIÚN AN IARTHAIR Primary/Secondary Roads: 1328.2km
Regional Crime 1999: 5,004
Region Crime per 1,000 Population: 11.29
Regional Detections 1999: 2,287
Detection Rate: 46%
Road Traffic Offences: 16,393
Garda Strength: 1,068
Garda Vehicles: 133
Garda Stations: 144
Garda Districts: 20

Headed by an Assistant Commissioner based at Mill Street, Galway, the Western region comprises of the
Garda Divisions of Galway West, Roscommon/Galway East, Clare and Mayo.

Crime recorded in the region showed a decrease of 2% on the previous year. While the detection rate
dropped to 46%, this remains above the national average of 42%.

The presence of Shannon Airport in the region continues to place policing demands on the regional
force. The airport plays host to numerous dignitaries each year, many of whom require a significant
policing presence at the airport and its vicinity. The most notable passenger passing through Shannon
during the year under review was the US First Lady, Mrs. Hilary Clinton.

Major emergency exercises are also required to be carried out at the airport on a regular basis, in
conjunction with airport authorities and other agencies. However, the Major Emergency Plan was
activated, for real, in Belmullet following the outbreak of fire at a local rubber plant. The operation
necessitated the evacuation of a wide area and was in force for some 25 hours. All emergency services
combined in a coordinated and supportive manner to bring the incident to a speedy conclusion.

A juvenile based crime prevention project ‘The Junction Project’ was initiated in Ballinsloe during the
year with the allocation of IR£50,000 in funding. The project aims to curb anti social behaviour by
young persons in the locality and while still in it’s infancy the achievements to date are very promising.

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AN GARDA SÍOCHÁNA ANNUAL REPORT 1999

‘C’ BRANCH
(CRIME, SECURITY & TRAFFIC)
BRAINSE ‘C’
(COIREACHT, SLÁNDÁIL AGUS TRÁCHT)
The structure within ‘C’ Branch was reviewed during the ‘C’ Branch
course of the year and some adjustments were made. The
Garda National Traffic Bureau was added to ‘C’ Branch and Crime, Security & Traffic
some structural changes were made within sections. Assistant Commissioner, “C” Branch
Crime, Security & Traffic
The Branch consists of a number of sections dealing
specifically with crime and security issues, and now traffic, Detective Chief Superintendent
on a national basis. The section is headed by an Assistant Security & Intelligence
Commissioner based at Garda Headquarters, with sections
located both at Garda Headquarters and at the Harcourt Chief Superintendent
Square Complex, Dublin. Crime Administration
Each of the sections within ‘C’ Branch are reasonably
autonomous with the respective Chief Superintendents Detective Chief Superintendent
reporting directly to the Assistant Commissioner. However, Liaison & Protection
due to the nature of serious and organised crime, many
operations and investigations are undertaken by personnel Chief Superintendent
drawn from two or more sections. Garda National Traffic Bureau

In addition to all crime related matters, the Branch also


Detective Chief Superintendent
encompasses cross border and international police liaison, National Bureau of Criminal Investigation
along with VIP protection and many other operational
policing matters.
Detective Chief Superintendent
Garda National Drug Unit

SECURITY & INTELLIGENCE SECTION Detective Chief Superintendent


Garda Bureau of Fraud Investigation
AN RANNÓG SLÁNDÁIL AGUS FAISNÉISE
Headed by a Detective Chief Superintendent, the core Detective Chief Superintendent
activity of the Security & Intelligence Section is the Criminal Assets Bureau
monitoring of trends in subversive and criminal activity in
the State. The work of operational units who specifically target serious and subversive-related crime is
supported on a daily basis from the Security & Intelligence Section.

An Garda Síochána are responsible not only for providing the policing service within the State, but also
the security of the State. To this end, the Security & Intelligence Section maintains liaison links with
police forces and security services throughout the world, forging new links where appropriate. This
regularly includes the attendance by senior
personnel at meetings and conferences
overseas.

Meetings of all major European Union


Police co-operation bodies, including
Europol; Police Working Group on
Terrorism; Police Cooperation Working
Group and Interpol, are attended by
personnel from Security & Intelligence
Section.

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AN GARDA SÍOCHÁNA ANNUAL REPORT 1999

The section also organises international conference and seminars on security related issues, which impart
valuable knowledge gained through policing in this country, to a world-wide audience of police and law
enforcement personnel.
Such gatherings also increase the knowledge base of Garda personnel involved and the organisation
generally. These contacts also prove useful from an operational aspect.

Personnel from the section make presentations on security and intelligence related issues to promotion
and development classes at the Garda College and to foreign police officers undergoing training in this
country as part of various international agreements and programmes.

CRIME ADMINISTRATION SECTION


AN RANNÓG RIARACHÁN UM CHOREACHT
Headed by a Chief Superintendent reporting to Assistant Commissioner, ‘C’ Branch (Crime, Security &
Traffic) the Crime Administration Section is divided into seven autonomous but related areas, each
dealing with specific areas of policing on a national basis.

The General Administration Office monitors the progress of serious crime investigations throughout the
country. It also services correspondence on crime related issues which arise from the public, Government
Departments and other external agencies.

The Missing Persons’ Bureau is responsible for data relating to missing persons, sudden deaths and the
discovery of unidentified bodies. The Bureau deals with associated inquiries from external agencies, other
jurisdictions and Interpol.

The Legal Office provides legal advice on all matters arising from the operational and administrative roles
of An Garda Síochána. It liaises with a wide range of Government Departments, legal and other agencies
in this respect.

Requests for mutual assistance from other jurisdictions are dealt with at the Mutual Assistance Section,
which also coordinates all Irish requests for mutual assistance in criminal matters.

The Crime Computer Section is responsible for the integrity of the crime recording database and the
production of management information reports on a periodic basis.

The Extradition Section receives extradition requests from other jurisdictions to locate persons who are
subject of such requests. The section executes extradition warrants and processes Irish requests for the
extradition of persons from other jurisdictions to answer charges in this country.

Finally, the Crime Statistics’ Office compiles statistics which feature in the Annual Report. It also
formulates replies to parliamentary questions and compiles statistical information to service inquiries from
within and beyond An Garda Síochána

LIAISON & PROTECTION SECTION


AN RANNÓG TEAGMHÁLA AGUS COSANTA
The Liaison & Protection Section (formerly the International Liaison Office) is headed by a Detective
Chief Superintendent and handles a range of matters relating to international law enforcement liaison;
protection of resident and visiting dignitaries and security of key installations and buildings. In addition to
personnel based at Garda Headquarters, Liaison & Protection is also responsible for a number of Garda
Liaison Officers based in Europe.

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AN GARDA SÍOCHÁNA ANNUAL REPORT 1999

The section coordinates security


arrangements for An tUachtarain; the
Diplomatic Corps; the Judiciary and other
resident and visiting dignitaries. It is also
responsible for security issues relating to
the Courts; Embassies & Diplomatic
Consulates; air & sea ports; banks &
financial institutions; Garda Stations;
prisons; Government Departments & State
buildings; cash in transit operations and
explosives issues. This section is also
responsible for the management of the
Witness Security Programme.

The administration of all matters relating


to foreign nationals residing in the State;
illegal aliens; asylum applicants and
naturalisation applicants is dealt with at the Aliens & Immigration Office. Close liaison is maintained by
this office with relevant Government Departments and Garda personnel deployed on immigration duties
throughout the State.

The Liaison & Protection Section provides the primary international contact point with An Garda
Síochána for all police and law enforcement agencies overseas. Depending on the specific subject, the
issue may be dealt with at one of three offices.

The Europol National Unit deals with requests for assistance from law enforcement agencies within the
European Union in the areas of criminality, drug trafficking, terrorism, stolen vehicle trafficking,
trafficking in illegal immigrants, trafficking in humans, trafficking in nuclear & radioactive fuels and the
laundering of the proceeds of any of the above illegal activities.

The Bureau de Liaison (BdL) provides a central secure communication facility for contact to/from foreign
police forces, EU General Secretariat, Garda Drug Liaison Officers in The Hague and Madrid and
security services world-wide, including cross border communications.

Interpol has 178 member countries and the Interpol National Central Bureau at Garda Headquarters
maintains ongoing liaison with these members within the limits of the laws existing in these countries
and within the spirit of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

GARDA NATIONAL TRAFFIC BUREAU


AN BIÚRÓ NÁISIÚNTA UM TRÁCHTA AN GHARDA SÍOCHÁNA
The Garda National Traffic Bureau is based at Garda Headquarters and is headed by a Chief
Superintendent who reports to the Assistant Commissioner, ‘C’ Branch (Crime, Security & Traffic).

The year under review saw a reduction of 45 in the number of road traffic related deaths, over 1998 and
it was the second year in succession that road deaths reduced.

An analysis of road fatalities indicates that those in the 16-30 year old age group were the most at risk
from road traffic related death, with the most dangerous time between 6pm and 2am and the worst days
being Friday, Saturday and Sunday. During the year, males accounted for 295 deaths and females for 118
deaths. This compares to 348 and 110 respectively in the previous year.

July was the worst month for fatalities with 48 deaths, while November showed a major reduction with
17 deaths – the least deaths in any single month in many years. Overall, road deaths in 1999 were down
in eight of the twelve months compared with 1998. The South Eastern Region and Dublin Metropolitan
Region recorded the greatest reductions, with falls of 26 and 14 respectively.

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AN GARDA SÍOCHÁNA ANNUAL REPORT 1999

Irish Road Deaths 1978 to 1999

700
700

600
600
628
564
500
500
533
478 472
400
400 465 463
415 437
453 458
413
387 404
300
300

200
200

100
100

00 1978 1980 1982 1984 1986 1988 1990 1992 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999

Road Traffic fatalities for the years 1997; 1998 and 1999 by month

Year Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Total
1997 26 30 45 29 53 36 41 37 42 51 41 41 472

1998 34 29 21 46 33 42 38 40 47 42 41 45 458

1999 30 34 35 31 26 35 48 42 38 40 17 37 413

The Government Strategy for Road Safety, 1997 – 2002 targeted a 20% reduction in road deaths during
the strategy period. The reductions achieved so far during 1998 and 1999 have resulted in a net
reduction of 12.5% in road fatalities already. Speeding, drink driving and non-wearing of seat belts
continue to be the main causes of road deaths and remain the primary targets for Garda enforcement
activity.

Through Operation Lifesaver, the strong enforcement policy of An Garda Siochana was intensified.
Towards the end of July, a Garda National Road Safety Initiative, comprising of Operations ‘Belt Up’;
‘Check Up’; ‘Juggernaut’ and ‘Fare’, was launched to support Operation Lifesaver. These operations
focused on seat belt wearing, road worthiness of vehicles, heavy goods vehicles and public service
vehicles respectively. This initiative proved very successful and by the end of the operations in November
over 5,700 Garda checkpoints had been mounted, some 57,000 offences detected and 278 dangerously
defective vehicles seized.

During the year, 178,009 fine on the spot notices were issued for excessive speeding. In July, fines on the
spot were introduced for non-wearing of seat belts and by the end of the year, some 25,000 notices had
been issued. A total of 9,787 detection’s were made for drink driving. These returns were all significantly
greater than in previous years and emphasises the Garda focus on road traffic enforcement and enhanced
safety.

Road Traffic fatalities for the years 1997, 1998 and 1999 by type

Road UserType: Pedestrian Driver Passenger Motorcyclist Pedal cyclist Total


1997 130 156 99 60 27 472
1998 111 188 109 30 20 458
1999 93 183 83 39 15 413

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AN GARDA SÍOCHÁNA ANNUAL REPORT 1999

Many strides were made towards achieving the


supporting targets set out in the Government’s
Strategy. Evidential breath testing commenced at
four Garda locations, with considerable further
expansion planned. Preparatory work for the
commencement of the operation of Fixed
Camera Speed Detection Systems was also
undertaken during the year, which included
training of personnel and the purchase of film
viewing/processing systems.

The processing systems for ‘Fines on the Spot’ in


Cork and Dublin were upgraded and work
continued on the development of a National
Processing System which will provide the
essential ‘back office’ capability for an extended detection environment. When fully implemented, this
system will enable the extension of the fine on the spot procedures to more road traffic and other
offences, leading to a higher enforcement/detection capability and improved efficiency.

NATIONAL BUREAU OF CRIMINAL INVESTIGATION


BIÚRÓ NÁISIÚNTA IMSCRÚDU COIRIÚIL
The National Bureau of Criminal Investigation is headed by a Detective Chief Superintendent reporting to
Assistant Commissioner, ‘C’ Branch (Crime, Security & Traffic). The Bureau was established in 1997 with
the amalgamation of a number of national investigation units. The national investigative remit of NBCI
now includes:-
● Murder ● Stolen motor vehicles & plant.
● Serious & organised crime. ● Theft of computer components.
● Anti-racketeering. ● Domestic violence and serious sexual assault.
● Arts & Antiques thefts. ● Postal and telegraphy thefts & fraud.

MURDER, SERIOUS AND ORGANISED CRIME


While the responsibility for the proper investigation
of all crime rests with the local Garda officers, the
National Bureau of Criminal Investigation provide
assistance to serious investigations through a range
of expertise and skills available within the Bureau.
Bureau staff assist in all aspects of the investigation
including preliminary enquiries; case management;
Incident Room management; general investigation;
file preparation and other ancillary aspects of a
criminal investigation. Specialist Investigation
Teams within NBCI carry out these tasks when
requested by local Garda officers or on direction of
senior Garda management. The Bureau also
proactively engages in intelligence gathering on
known criminal suspects.

ANTI RACKETEERING UNIT


The protection of intellectual property is the primary function of the Anti-Racketeering Unit. To ensure a
structured and coordinated approach in tackling the problem of counterfeit products, the unit liaises with
investigating Gardai and assists in all aspects of this particular criminality. Personnel also interact with
other agencies involved in the protection of intellectual property.

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AN GARDA SÍOCHÁNA ANNUAL REPORT 1999

ARTS AND ANTIQUES UNIT


The theft of art and antiques caters for a specialised niche market in such goods and An Garda Síochána
have developed a certain expertise in investigating such criminal acts. The Arts & Antiques Unit through
a range of activities endeavours to heighten the awareness of the public to this type of theft and also
provides operational assistance and expertise to Garda personnel investigating specific crimes.

To keep abreast of international markets and developments in this area, liaison is maintained with arts &
antiques dealers, museums and galleries world-wide, in addition to close liaison with similar police
investigation units elsewhere.

STOLEN MOTOR VEHICLE INVESTIGATION UNIT


The primary focus of the Stolen Motor Vehicle
Investigation Unit is the coordination of
information and intelligence relating to the
theft of motor vehicles, plant & equipment and
related crime on a national basis. The Unit
also targets suspects, along with maintaining
regular liaison with the motor industry, car hire
companies, car auctions and close liaison with
similar units on foreign police forces.

CRIMESTOPPERS
Crimestoppers is a world-wide concept
revolving around a partnership between the
police, the community, the media and the
business world. The initiative was launched in
Ireland in 1998 and while managed by an independent board, it is operated by An Garda Síochána at
the Crimestoppers Office within NBCI.
Crimestoppers provides a confidential service to the public to pass information to An Garda Síochána on
suspected criminal activity, using a freephone telephone number – 1800 25 00 25. All calls received are
dealt with by Detective Gardai and a reward system operates where information results in a criminal
conviction.
Since its establishment in January, 1998 up to the 31st December, 1999, the Crimestoppers Office has
received 1,294 actionable calls, resulting in 83 arrests and the recovery or seizure of property in excess
of IR£78,800 (100,055 Euros).

COMPUTER COMPONENT THEFT


Since the establishment of the Computer Component Theft Unit at NBCI in 1997, in excess of IR£12.5m
(15.8m Euros) has been recovered in stolen computer components. The unit provides an effective
prevention and investigative function to combat computer related crime, including robbery, hijacking
and thefts of computers and their component parts. In addition to leading investigations in these areas,
the Unit also operates an intelligence gathering network, identifies
major principals involved in computer crime and provides
analysis of patterns and trends in this area.

As with so many other aspects of organised criminal activity, there


is a substantial international aspect to the theft of computer parts
and the Unit maintain ongoing liaison with police forces
throughout Europe and beyond.

DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AND SEXUAL ASSAULT INVESTIGATION UNIT


Advice, guidance and assistance in the investigation of child
sexual abuse, other sexual crimes and domestic violence is given
to Gardai by personnel from the Domestic Violence and Sexual
Assault Investigation Unit (DVSAIU). The Unit lead the
investigation in the more complex cases.

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AN GARDA SÍOCHÁNA ANNUAL REPORT 1999

The DVSAIU also maintain constant liaison with relevant Government Departments; State bodies and
voluntary groups, embracing the very necessary multi-agency approach to tackling these issues and their
causes. The primary considerations for An Garda Síochána in these cases is the protection and welfare of
the child/children and the proper investigation of the alleged activity.

DVSAIU personnel also spend considerable time delivering presentations to various training,
development and management courses within An Garda Síochána and to various gatherings and
conferences outside. During the year, the Unit continued to develop their capacity to investigate illegal
pornographic activity on the Internet, especially child pornography.

POST OFFICE INVESTIGATION UNIT


The Post Office Investigation Unit within NBCI continued to investigate postal and telegraphy offences.
Close liaison is required with the statutory and commercial concerns in the business sector and the Post
Office Investigation Unit provides expertise in the investigation of these types of offences.

GARDA BUREAU OF FRAUD INVESTIGATION


BIÚRÓ AN GHARDA UM IMSCRUDÚ CALAOISE
The Garda Bureau of Fraud Investigation (GBFI) is the specialist agency within An Garda Síochána with
national responsibility for the investigation of fraud-related crime. The Bureau is led by a Chief
Superintendent (Bureau Director), reporting to Assistant Commissioner, ‘C’ Branch (Crime, Security &
Traffic). The experience and expertise possessed by personnel within the Bureau can be availed of by all
sections of An Garda Síochána.

The primary objectives of the Bureau may be summarised as:-


● to investigate serious cases of commercial fraud, cheque and credit card fraud, computer fraud, money

laundering offences and counterfeit currency;


● to collate information and intelligence and act as a resource centre on fraud related matters and

● to play a pro-active role in the prevention and detection of fraud.

One of the key fraud prevention initiatives


undertaken in 1999 by GBFI, was the production,
by the GBFI of a comprehensive fraud prevention
guide – ‘Fraud Alert’ - in conjunction with
PriceWaterhouseCoopers. This high quality guide
was published in April and some 20,000 copies
have been distributed free to private citizens and
across the business and commercial sector, in
addition to professional bodies, academic
institutions and regulatory authorities.

In an easily understood and jargon free text, the


guide offers invaluable advice on all areas of
fraud prevention in addition to setting out the
steps which should be followed in the event of
discovering fraud.

Included as appendices are checklists covering recruitment procedures and financial controls which are
recommended for implementation in all organisations. The document may be accessed via the Garda
website at www.garda.ie.

If left unchecked, fraud can pose a serious threat to the welfare of our economy and our society. The staff
at the Garda Bureau of Fraud Investigation continue to focus their efforts in preventing and detecting
fraud related crime. This objective requires the whole hearted commitment and support of the entire
community and in this context, Bureau staff continue to work closely with all relevant interested parties.
Fraud Alert is an excellent example of how partnership can work in advancing this objective.

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AN GARDA SÍOCHÁNA ANNUAL REPORT 1999

The Bureau carries out its functions through a number of separate, yet closely related Units. A brief
summary of the workings of each of these Units is outlined below.

The Assessment Unit analyses and reviews each complaint made to the Bureau to establish firstly if a
crime is disclosed requiring Garda attention and secondly, to make recommendations to Bureau
management as to the scope and nature of the required investigation.

The more complex cases are investigated by Bureau staff, while others, following assessment, are referred
to local Gardai for investigation.

During the year under review, 458 individual cases were processed by the Assessment Unit, representing
a 35% increase over 1998. Some 270 cases were referred to the Bureau by Interpol which required
investigation in this jurisdiction relative to fraud investigations by foreign law enforcement agencies.

In addition, a further 46 requests for Mutual Assistance in Criminal Matters were received by the Bureau.
Mutual Assistance requests under the Council of Europe Convention require investigation in this country
under the Criminal Justice Act, 1994 and the volume of such requests continue to show a steady
increase. Analysis of trends indicated that some 70% of requests received are fraud related.

The Assessment Unit also handles enquiries from other Garda members and the public seeking advice
and/or assistance in fraud related matters.

One of the primary functions of the Bureau is the


Overview of fraud related complaints/investigations
investigation of serious and complex commercial fraud
cases. These investigations are carried out within the
Assessment Unit
Irish cases assessed 142 Bureau by the personnel attached to the Commercial
Referred by Interpol 270 Fraud Units. Complaints are received from financial
Mutual Assistance requests 46 institutions, business firms, Government Departments,
Insurance Companies, the Director of Public Prosecutions
Commercial Fraud Units and the public generally.
Complaints 1065
Complex cases investigated by GBFI 78 In 1999, the Bureau, assisted by local Gardai, advanced
Persons charged 34 1065 complaints alleging irregularity in financial
Cheque/Credit Card Fraud Unit
institutions. Many of these complaints were made
Cheque Fraud complaints 70 following the wide publicity afforded to various issues
Credit Card Fraud complaints 140 involving some of the major Banks. Following extensive
Counterfeit currency 135 examination, through the relevant financial institutions,
Persons charged 28 the vast majority of these complaints did not disclose any
evidence of criminal wrongdoing. However, at years end,
Computer Crime Unit many investigations were continuing.
Computer hard drives examined 117
Ancillary computer media copied/examined 1388
During the year, staff at the commercial fraud units
Assistance to other Units 99
handled 78 complex fraud investigations, with 55 persons
Money Laundering Investigation Unit arrested and 34 charged with fraud related offences. The
Reports made 1421 staff also made their expertise available in assisting
Persons charged 5 numerous other fraud investigations undertaken by local
Gardai throughout the country.

Among the new trends noticed during the year, were a number of complaints alleging insider dealing by
individuals within corporate entities and complaints of organised insurance fraud. These trends will be
reflected in criminal charges as investigations are concluded.

Another noticeable trend was a significant number of senior officials within organisations coming to
notice for allegedly committing large scale fraud over protracted periods.

The Cheque/Credit Card Fraud Unit concentrates on the more serious and organised cases of cheque,
credit card and counterfeit currency fraud, while the less serious cases are referred to local Gardai for
investigation. In 1999, some 345 complaints were made to this Unit. The table on the previous page
outlines the composition of this number. The Unit preferred criminal charges against 28 persons during
the year for a variety of offences.

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AN GARDA SÍOCHÁNA ANNUAL REPORT 1999

Nationally there is evidence of an increasing trend


in credit card fraud by both nationals and non-
nationals. The most common cases relate to lost or
stolen credit cards. However, there is also a steady
increase in the use of counterfeit credit cards.

Another increasing trend coming to the notice is the


existence of the ‘advance fee’ fraud activity. This
involves the targeting of business concerns and an
invitation to become involved in releasing
substantial funds from an African country. The writer
usually purports to be a senior Government official,
promises a substantial return on the investment and
seeks bank details of the business. Despite the
persuasive approach adopted, it goes without saying
that no money is ever received by the victim. During the course of the year, a major organised criminal
gang of non nationals were found to be operating such a fraud in the Dublin City commercial centre.
Had the gang not been intercepted, substantial sums of money would have been defrauded. A number
of persons are currently before the Courts in this matter. The simple advice is that if a proposition
appears too good to be true, it generally is.

The Computer Crime Unit at GBFI is the national central reference point for computer related crime. It
also has responsibility for investigating computer fraud and for assisting other Garda units with the
retrieval of computer based evidence. During the year under review, 117 computer hard drives and
1388 ancillary computer media were copied/examined by the Unit.

Personnel also assisted in some 99 other Garda investigations which included 18 internet cases, 12
hacking cases and 15 child pornography cases, in addition to many other serious crime investigations. A
particular success during the year was the conclusion of an exhaustive investigation, which commenced
in 1988, regarding an elaborate telecommunications fraud, resulting in a number of persons currently
before the Courts on criminal charges.

The Unit continued its proactive approach in creating awareness of computer crime issues by providing
presentations to various computer user groups. The Unit substantially increased its forensic computing
capacity during the year to meet current and projected demands.

Close contact is also maintained with similar police investigation units overseas and the unit is currently
examining the feasibility of a real time computer network link between these units throughout the EU.
The Money Laundering Investigation Unit (MLIU) have the responsibility for the recording, evaluation,
analysis and investigation of disclosures relating to suspicious financial transactions received from
bodies designated under the Criminal Justice Act, 1994.

Continuing the trend reported in 1998, the number of disclosures made to the MLIU continues to rise
dramatically – as indicated in the graphic on the following page. Fourteen persons were arrested during
the year in relation to money laundering offences, with five of these subsequently charged. At years end,
a number of files were being contemplated by the Law Officers. As with most fraud related
investigations, these cases require protracted and very detailed examination which invariably include a
multitude of extremely complex issues.
Personnel from this Unit have participated in many educational programmes for staff of financial
institutions, advising participants on preventive measures and on the legal obligations placed on them
and their employers regarding disclosures.
Close international cooperation continued with joint operations planned and executed between MLIU
staff and many other police services, including the Royal Ulster Constabulary. Operations of this nature
have successfully closed down an extensive cross border money laundering operation. Operations were
also undertaken with law enforcement agencies in the United Kingdom; Holland; Belgium; Sweden and
the United States.

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AN GARDA SÍOCHÁNA ANNUAL REPORT 1999

Disclosures Reported

1421
1400
1400
1202
1200
1200

1000
1000

800
800

600
600
504
400
400
378
199
200
200

00
1995 (May-Dec.) 1996 1997 1998 1999

GARDA NATIONAL DRUGS UNIT


AONAD NÁUSIÚNTA NA NDRUGAÍ
Headed by a Detective Chief Superintendent, reporting to Assistant Commissioner, ‘C’ Branch (Crime
Security & Traffic) the Garda National Drugs Unit (GNDU) continued its activities to curb national and
international drug trafficking.
On the national level, the GNDU continue to coordinate large scale operations against those engaged in
drug dealing/trafficking. They may either investigate such cases themselves or assist local Garda
investigation teams. Operation Nightcap was initiated during the year to curb drug activity in licensed
premises. The strategic deployment of undercover Gardai in numerous licensed premises throughout the
country resulted in drug related charges being preferred against 87 persons. Notices were served on
Licensees as appropriate as a result of these operations.
The year saw the implementation of the fourth
phase of Operation Clean Street, which involves
undercover Gardai purchasing small quantities
of drugs from dealers. Those contravening the
law were subsequently identified and 180
persons were charged. In excess of IR£16,500
(21,000 Euros) of controlled substances were
seized in this phase of the operation which took
place in urban and rural areas countrywide.
Drug trafficking is by nature an international
activity and the GNDU continue to maintain
close contact with law enforcement agencies
world wide. This contact involves information
and intelligence sharing, along with joint
operations which often cross numerous
jurisdictions in a single operation.
The activities of Garda Drug Liaison Officers in Madrid and The Hague and the Garda Liaison Officer at
Europol Headquarters, have contributed greatly to major success recorded during the year.
As part of international cooperation, the GNDU hosted an EU funded operation under the Oisín
Programme. In conjunction with law enforcement agencies in the Netherlands, Spain, Germany,
Portugal and Belgium the objectives of the programme were to target Irish criminals residing outside of
this country, identify current drug trafficking trends and identify best practices in combating drug
trafficking within the EU. The programme commenced in September with a conference in Dublin,
followed by exchange and operational visits to/from participating countries. Final evaluation of the
programme has yet to be concluded but preliminary assessment indicate that the programme was hugely
successful and of considerable benefit to all those involved, not least An Garda Síochána.

52 Visit the Garda Website at www.garda.ie


AN GARDA SÍOCHÁNA ANNUAL REPORT 1999

CRIMINAL ASSETS BUREAU


AN BIÚRÓ UM SHÓCMHAINNÍ COIRIÚLA
The Criminal Assets Bureau was established as a Statutory Body pursuant to the Criminal Assets Bureau
Act, 1996 on the 15th October, 1996 and forms part of the Crime, Security & Traffic Branch.

The Bureau is the embodiment of the multi-agency approach and is staffed by officers from An Garda
Síochána, Revenue Commissioners Taxes, Revenue Commissioners Customs and the Department of
Social, Community & Family Affairs. It is headed by the Chief Bureau Officer, who is a Chief
Superintendent of An Garda Síochána, reporting to the Commissioner on the performance and functions
of the Bureau. An annual report is prepared and submitted through the Garda Commissioner for the
Minister for Justice, Equality & Law Reform and laid before both House of the Oireachtas in accordance
with the Act.

The objectives of the Bureau include the


identification of assets, wherever situated, of
persons which derive or are suspected to derive
CRIMINAL
directly or indirectly from criminal activity. The
Bureau has primary responsibility in this area and ASSETS
takes appropriate action under the law to deprive
or deny those persons of the assets and the
proceeds of their activity.
BUREAU
The Bureau proactively targets persons involved in serious criminal activity in an effort to identify, seize
and confiscate wealth illegally obtained by these persons. Working closely with all other relevant State
agencies and in particular, with other units in An Garda Síochána in carrying out this task. During the
year under review, a number of operations have been mounted by CAB with the Garda National Drugs
Unit, the National Bureau of Criminal Investigation and the Garda Bureau of Fraud Investigation, in
particular the Money Laundering Investigation Unit of the GBFI.

The effectiveness of the operations of the Criminal Assets Bureau has led to a number of seizures of
illegally obtained assets. The establishment of the Bureau itself and the continuance of it’s operations, has
led to the displacement of major criminal figures, many of whom have left the jurisdiction since coming
to the attention of CAB.

In addition, CAB has secured convictions against persons involved in organised crime and continues to
freeze or confiscate, through Court proceedings, assets and other wealth, including real estate, vehicles,
cash and other property.

To control and trace the assets of organised crime, the Bureau has successfully conducted investigations
resulting in the confiscation of illegally obtained assets and wealth, held both inside and outside this
jurisdiction. The Bureau maintains close contact with it’s European and international partners in the
identification, tracing and seizing of illegally obtained assets or wealth.

The Criminal Assets Bureau has played an important role in the State’s fight against organised crime in
1999 and will continue to work closely with all other relevant agencies in proactively targeting persons
involved in serious criminal activity in an effort to deny and deprive those persons of illegally obtained
assets or wealth.

53 Visit the Garda Website at www.garda.ie


AN GARDA SÍOCHÁNA ANNUAL REPORT 1999

INTERNATIONAL ACTIVITIES
GNÍOMHAÍOCHTAÍ IDIRNÁISÚNTA
Crime and criminal activity is not exclusive to any single country or jurisdiction.
With huge advancements in communications, and technology and the ease of
movement between jurisdictions, more and more the activities of organised criminals are
becoming transnational. The sophistication of methods employed by criminal groupings, particularly in
the area of drugs, is an issue which is being addressed by law enforcement agencies world wide. The
parochial approach is no longer sufficient to tackle these issues.

Despite the fact that Ireland is an island nation, the effects of the internationalisation of crime is felt here.
An Garda Síochána continued to develop it’s international liaisons during the year under review and
some of the highlights of this cooperative approach are outlined here. Activities of An Garda Síochána
engaged in United Nations Missions and various international training programmes/exchanges operated
at the Garda College, are outlined elsewhere in this report

MUTUAL ASSISTANCE IN CRIMINAL MATTERS


The Mutual Assistance in Criminal Matters style of agreement, is an acceptable formalised method of
agreement between Governments to assist each other on matters relating to criminal activity. Some
agreements are general in nature while others specify the areas to which the assistance refers. An Garda
Síochána, through the Government, have or are considering agreements of this type with a number of
countries, including:- United Kingdom; Russia; Hungary; United States of America; Canada; Australia;
Turkey; Poland; Bulgaria and Estonia.

MEMORANDA OF UNDERSTANDING
On a very formal level, An Garda Síochána are party to Memoranda of Understandings
with police forces in three countries. In 1996, the Memorandum of Understanding
between the Hungarian National Police Force and An Garda Síochána was signed,
followed by an understanding with the National Police Authority of the Arab Republic
of Egypt in 1997. In 1998, a Memorandum of Understanding was signed between An
Garda Síochána and the Ministry of the Russian Federation.

Within the terms of the Memoranda, the named law enforcement agencies have
successfully collaborated on a wide range of activities, including training programmes,
information sharing and operational issues.

LIAISON OFFICERS
An Garda Síochána have a number of Liaison Officers and other staff based in Europe, who assist home
based units involved in investigations with an international/European element. One Detective Inspector
and one Detective Garda are based at Europol Headquarters at The Hague and a Detective Sergeant is
based at Interpol Headquarters at Lyon. There is a Detective Sergeant based at the Irish Embassy in The
Hague and one based at the Irish Embassy in Madrid. These latter two Garda personnel are engaged
primarily in drug liaison matters in the countries where they are based and adjoining territories.
An Garda Síochána also have one Detective Sergeant assigned to Interpol Headquarters, Lyon, France.

EUROPEAN UNION COMMITMENTS


An Garda Síochána acting alone and sometimes in conjunction with officials
from the Department of Justice, Equality & Law Reform actively participate in all
the various Working Groups within the EU framework. These groups, which
ultimately submit recommendations to the Council of Ministers which impact on
the activities of law enforcement agencies throughout the European Union.

EU FUNDED PROJECTS
Funding is available under various programmes operated by the EU on an annual basis. These
programmes take various styles all with the objective of enhancing inter-agency cooperation in very

54 Visit the Garda Website at www.garda.ie


AN GARDA SÍOCHÁNA ANNUAL REPORT 1999

practical ways. Specific programmes include OISÍN, adopted in 1997 with a finish date in 2000, the
programme encourages cooperation between law enforcement on crime prevention, detection and law
enforcement generally; STOP, adopted in 1996 with a finish date in 2000, promotes coordinated
initiatives in the fight against trafficking in human beings and sexual exploitation of children; FALCONE,
adopted in 1998, encourages a multi-disciplinary approach, focusing on activities which will contribute
to the implementation of the Action Plan to combat organised crime and ODYSSEUS, introduced in
1998 and running to 2002, aims to enhance training, exchanges and cooperation in law enforcement
agencies dealing with asylum, immigration, external border policing and related issues.

Individual Garda sections/units submit proposals to the Commissioner for consideration and where
appropriate these are submitted onward for funding. Funding applications are coordinated at the Garda
EU Coordination Office and personnel at this office assist the submitting units in managing the
successful projects. An Garda Síochána submit numerous applications for each tranche of funding and
the following programmes which were successful in having funds allocated to them, commenced or
continued through 1999.

(i) “Training Exchange Programme for operational police personnel involved in the investigation of
money laundering and the seizure of assets” received funding under the Oisín Programme. The
programme concentrated on the procedural aspects of the investigation regarding cross border
flow of funds identified and the most effective strategies and investigative tools for financial
investigations. The project was managed by the Garda Bureau of Fraud Investigation and
participants included the United Kingdom; Holland; Spain; Germany; France; Italy; Belgium’;
Sweden; Austria; Russia and Hungary.

(ii) “A strategic European initiative aimed at developing a framework to combat criminal syndicates
involved in international drug trafficking” was proposed and managed by the Garda National
Drugs Unit. The project aimed to facilitate interaction and exchange of intelligence with a view to
identifying and prosecuting criminals operating in the participating jurisdictions. The countries
involved were Belgium; Holland; Germany; Spain; Portugal, along with Europol and the Irish
Customs Service.

(iii) Coordinated by the Assistant Commissioner, Northern Region, Sligo and involving Northern
Ireland, Scotland, Wales, England, Finland, Portugal, Europol, Non-Government Agencies and
Community Groups, a project to assess the impact of drug abuse in rural areas and how issues
arising could be best dealt with in a multi-agency approach, was funded under the Oisín
programme.

(iv) “A training exchange programme for firearms anti-terrorist trainers” was proposed by the Garda
College and funded under the Oisín Programme. The project involved tan examination and
evaluation of firearms training methods, providing a platform for further cooperation and
exchanges between the relevant units. Firearms trainers from England; Northern Ireland; Germany;
France and Sweden participated.

(v) Proposed and managed by the Garda Security & Intelligence Section, a project entitled
“Combatting the global threat of terrorism” was funded under Oisín. The programme aimed to
enhanced international cooperation in this area of law enforcement, with a view to facilitating
further exchanges on ‘best practices’ in operational methods to defeat terrorism. All EU Member
States participated along with Europol, Russia, Hungary, Canada and the United States of America.

(vi) “Halting the theft and trade in illegally obtained microchips” was the title of a project proposed
and managed by the Garda National Bureau of Criminal Investigation and funded under the
Falcone Programme. With the participation of the United Kingdom, France, Holland, Italy and
Germany, the project aimed to develop joint strategies in relation to preventing the theft of
computer microchips and in tracing stolen microchips.

(vii) Also within the provision of the Falcone Programme, the Garda Security & Intelligence Section
managed a project entitled “A Multi-Disciplinary Approach between Ireland, the U.K. and France
to Combat Organised Crime Networks”. Involving police and customs officials from Ireland,
England, Scotland, Wales & Northern Ireland, the primary objective of the project was the

55 Visit the Garda Website at www.garda.ie


AN GARDA SÍOCHÁNA ANNUAL REPORT 1999

development of a knowledge base on the Organised Crime Networks operating between these
jurisdictions. This knowledge base will facilitate strategic and operational planning by the
participating countries to combat the threat posed.

(viii) “Child Pornography on the Internet – a police response”, was the title funded under the STOP
Programme. Devised and managed by the Garda National Bureau of Criminal Investigation, the
project involved law enforcement agencies from the U.K., Germany, the Netherlands, Europol and
Interpol.
The development of a proactive multi-disciplinary Joint Strategic Initiative to formulate policy for
policing the internet for child trafficking and pornography, which are by the very nature,
transnational, was the focus of the project.

(ix) The Garda Regional Office, Southern Region, Cork, proposed and managed a project under the
Odysseus Programme. The project aimed at an exchange of best practices in training and
operations in the policing of external borders and the development of a knowledge base on the
methods and persons involved in the illegal transportation of immigrants. Participants included
Garda personnel, in addition to members of the Irish Customs and Irish Naval Service, along with
representatives from the U.K., France, Spain and Hungary.

(x) Within a programme designed to identify measures to combat racism, xenophobia and anti-
semitism, the Garda Crime Administration Section managed a project under the title “Providing a
Police Service in a developing multi-ethnic and multicultural Ireland”. In addition to Garda
personnel, representatives also participated from the U.K., Germany, the Netherlands, John Jay
College of Criminal Justice, New York and from other Non- Governmental Organisations.

DEATHS IN GARDA CUSTODY


On the 26th May, 1999, at 5.55 a.m., a person in custody at Trim Garda Station collapsed and was
attended by a local doctor. He was pronounced dead at 6.12 a.m. An Inquest has not yet been held.

On the 22nd August, 1999, at 12.15 p.m. a person in custody at Rathmines garda Station, Dublin,
collapsed and was attended by a local doctor who pronounced death at the scene. An Inquest was held
and a verdict of death by misadventure, due to vomit inhalation as a result of acute alcohol intake.

56 Visit the Garda Website at www.garda.ie


INDICTABLE OFFENCES
AN GARDA SÍOCHÁNA ANNUAL REPORT 1999

Wes
te
Reg rn
Nor
th
Reg ern
ion
Nor
th
Irel ern
and

Staitisti
T
á na staitisticí coiriúlachta
curtha i láthair i seacht roinn,
cloíonn sé seo le leagadh
ANALYSIS OF INDICTABLE

Coiriúla cí
ion

East
er

amach na Tuairisce
Reg n
ion
DM
A

Sout
Sout
h Ea
chta
OFFENCES

Reg stern

Bhliantúil 1997. Tá gach


he
Reg rn ion Detai
ls of
ion pros
(1996 ecution
referr s by
als) region
EAST Pros
Carlo ERN RE ecut

cuid de na seacht roinn,


Leix/ w/Kilda ON
GI Refer initia ed
Of re rals lly
Long faly Indiv Pros
ecut
Louth ford/W 88 offen
idual
ed
es Refer directio on
D.M /Meath tmeath 16
ders
rals n
.A.R 79
EGIO 10 16 Indiv Total
Easte N 11 10
387
offen
idual pr
North rn 80 Refer osecut

maraon le teidil na dtablaí le


51 de
11 280 rs rals ed
North Centr 1,129
42
80 Indiv
ern al 37 68 idual
South 85 648 475 offen
NO South Centr 401 190 61 de
96
RT
Cava HERN ern
al
216
60 1,244 26 359 rs
217 90
Done n/Monag REGION 243 147
156 125
48
84
Sligo ga l ha n 184 31 96 7 71
122 5 241
SOUT/Leitrim 114

staitisticí agus na cairteacha, i


29 341 2,373 37
H 102 24 16
Tippe EAST 16 16 1 5 241 7
23 276 1,615
Wate rary ERN
REGI 3 271 716
13
Wex rford/K ON 10 102 129
557
174
for ilken 3 203 462
SOUT d ny 42 47 404
7 84 423
Cork HERN 12 33 455
REGI 27
Cork East ON 15 22 33 131
251

gcóras datha. Cé go bhfuil cúntas


2
Kerry West 15 179 30
63
305
12 21 107
Lim 119 18 36
erick 13 136 46
WES 46 97 32
TE 76 13 33
Clare RN RE 6 64 221
GION 33 494 68 28
Galw 48 30
6
May ay Wes 19 303 55
112
163
o t 21 317 15
Rosc 18 31 79

le formhór na dtablaí staitistiúil tá


ommo 16 186 80
10 82 613
n/G 17 27 68
alw 3 78 349
ay Ea 10
st 110 50 393
4 3 37
35 54 219
1 3 130
40 86 33
1 97
30 29 128 71
5 31 70

na réamhchúntaisí ginearálta
45
21 103
43
5 39
34
34
6
24
6

úsáideach.
JUVENILE OFFENCES

Tá idirdhealú déanta í gcónaí idir cionta ionchúisithe agus cionta


cúisithe maidír le cur i láthair na staitisticí coiriúlachta. Dífhéadfadh cuid de na
cionta cúisithe cosúil le déircíneacht nó gan an crois sábhála a chaitheamh a bheith
próiseálta go deireadh leis an gCúirt Dúiche. Dífhéadfadh breitheamh agus giúire
sna cúirteanna níos airde deileáil le cionta ionchúisithe cosúil le dúnmharú nó robáil
armtha. Ordaíonn stiúrthóir na n-lonchúiseamh Poiblí go gcloistear rian beag de na
NON-INDICTABLE OFFENCES

cionta ionchúisithe gan triail giúire sa Chúirt Choiriúil Speisialta. Léiríonn an


t-idirdhealú idir diúscairt achomair (ag Cúirt Dúiche) nó diúscairt ar dhíotáil (ag cúirt
níos airde ná Cúirt Dúiche) dáiríre na coiriúlachta atá i gceist agus an pionóis a
dífhéadhfadh bheith leaghta síos.

Tá thart ar 120 saghas cionta ionchúisithe roinnte i gceithre cuid agus curtha i láthair
go mion i gceithre thábla mórchrutach chun méid na gcionta cláraithe a thaispeáint,
chun toradh an nós imeachta a thaispeáint agus chun aois agus gnéas na gcúisithe a
thaispeáint. Tá sé tábhachtach a chur san áireamh go bhfuil líon na gcionta
ionchúisithe atá cláraithe bunaithe ar na cionta a tuairiscíoch go dtí na Gardaí nó go
DRUG OFFENCES

raibh eolas ag na Gardaí fúthu i rith na bliana atá faoi athbreithniú. Dá réir
dífhéadhfadh cuid de na cionta ionchúisithe seo a tuairiscíoch nó go raibh eolas ag
na Gardaí fúthu i rith na bliana 1998, tarlú na blianta ó shin, mar shampla,
tuairiscítear cionta gnéis do na Gardaí cupla bliain tar éis dóibh tarlú.

Tosnaíonn an mionchuntas ar chionta ionchúisithe go bhfuil eolas ag na Gardaí fúthu


i 1998 sna ceithre thábla mórchrutach sa chéad leathanach eile. Is féidír na cionta
ionchúisithe a bhriseach síos i gceithre phríomh ghrúpa (cionta i leith an duine,
cionta i leith maoine, gadaíocht agus cionta eile) agus deileálann gach tábla le ceann
TRAFFIC OFFENCES

amháin de na ceithre ghrúpa seo. Is feidir líon na gcionta bratha a dhéanamh amach
tré luacha sa cholún le ceannteideal 3 air a shuimiú le luacha iad siúd sa cholún le
ceannteideal 17 air (s’é sin le rá, tá líon na gcionta ar a bhfuil an nós imeachta
tosnaithe suimithe le líon na gcionta ag a bhfuil eolas faoi na ciontóirí ach gan an
nós imeachta léirithe).

Tá an siombal “–“ úsáidte in áiteanna ina bhfuil an difríocht idir dhá staitistic
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

neamchainníochta i dtéarmaí céatadáin (mar shampla, an difríocht i bhfoirm


céatadáin i méid coiriúlachta nuair nach raibh siad cláraithe i suíomh i mbliain
amháin agus nuair a bhí deich gcinn cláraithe ann an bhliain dár gcionn).

57 Visit the Garda Website at www.garda.ie


INDICTABLE OFFENCES
AN GARDA SÍOCHÁNA ANNUAL REPORT 1999

Wes
Nor
th
Reg ern
ion
Nor
th
Irel ern
and
n presenting the crime statistics a
distinction has always been made between I

ANALYSIS OF INDICTABLE
te

Crime
Reg rn
ion

East
Reg n
er
ion
indictable and non-indictable
DM
A

offences. Non-indictable offences,


Sout

Statisti

OFFENCES
Sout h Ea
he
Reg rn Reg stern
ion ion Detai

cs
ls of
pros
(1996 ecution
referr s by

such as failing to wear a seat belt or


als) region
EAST Pros
Carlo ERN RE ecut
Leix/ w/Kilda ON
GI Refer initia ed
Of re rals lly
Long faly Indiv Pros
ecut
Louth ford/W 88 offen
idual
ed
es Refer directio on
D.M /Meath tmeath 16
ders
rals n
.A.R 79

begging, may be processed to a


EGIO 10 16 Indiv Total
Easte N 11 10
387
offen
idual pr
North rn 51 80 de Refer osecut
11 280 rs rals ed
North Centr 1,129
42
80 Indiv
al 68
South ern 85 648
37 475 offen
idual
NO Ce 401 190 61 de
RTHE Southern ntral 60 1,244 26
96
359 rs
Cava RN 216 217 90
Done n/Monag REGION 243 14
156 125
48
84

conclusion by a District Court while


Sligo gal han 184 7 315 967 71
122 241
SOUT/Leitrim 29 10
341 114 2,373 37
Tippe H EAST 2 161 245 167
16 23 241
276 1,615
Wate rary ERN
RE 3 271 71
GION 13 6
Wex rford/K 10 102 129
557
174
for ilken 3 203 462
SOUT d ny 42 47 404
7 84 423
Cork HERN 12 33 455
REGI 27
Cork East 15 22 33 251

indictable offences, such as murder or


ON 2 131
Kerry West 15 179 30
63
305
12 21 107
Lim 119 18 36
eri 13 136 46
WES ck 46 97 32
TE 76 13 33
Clare RN RE 6 64 221
GION 33 494 68 28
Galw 48 30
6
May ay Wes 19 303 55
112
163
o t 21 317 15
Rosc 18 31 79
ommo 16 186 80

armed robbery, may be tried by a judge and


10 82 613
n/G 17 27 68
alw 3 78 349
ay Ea 10
st 110 50 393
4 3 37
35 54 219
1 3 130
40 86 33
1 97
30 29 128 71
5 31 70
45
21 103
43

jury in higher courts. The Director of Public


5 39
34
34
6
24
6

JUVENILE OFFENCES
Prosecutions directs that a small proportion of
indictable offences are heard without a jury trial in the Special Criminal
Court. Generally, the distinction between summary disposal (i.e. by a District
Court) or disposal on indictment (by a court higher than a District Court) reflects the
gravity of the criminal act concerned and the penalty which may be applied.

It should be noted that the number of indictable offences recorded is based on those

NON-INDICTABLE OFFENCES
offences reported or known to the Gardaí during the year under review. Accordingly, some
indictable offences reported or known to the Gardaí during 1999 may have taken place in
earlier years: sexual offences, for example, are often reported to the Gardaí several years
after they have taken place.

The crime recording computer system which produced the last twelve Annual Reports was
replaced at the end of September 1999. This Annual Report was compiled during a
transition period between the new and old computer systems with the result that the
analysis of indictable offences recorded in the last three months of the year is not as

DRUG OFFENCES
extensive as that for the ealier nine months. Consequently, some indictable offence tables
show detailed statistics for the first nine months of the year only.

Approximately 120 types of indictable offences are divided into four groups and presented
in detail in four large format tables to show the volume of offences recorded, the results of
proceedings taken and the age and gender of persons who have been convicted. These
statistics are shown for the nine month period. (The total volume of indictable offences
TRAFFIC OFFENCES

recorded and detected for the full year is shown.) Full year statistics are also available for
most of the indictable offences which feature in the analysis of indictable offences
(homicide, rape, robbery, burglary, larcenies etc.) section of the Annual Report.

The “–” symbol is used is situations where the difference between two statistics is
unquantifiable in percentage terms (e.g. the percentage difference in the volume of crime
where none was recorded in a location in one year and where ten were recorded there in
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

the following year).

Visit the Garda Website at www.garda.ie 58


INDICTABLE OFFENCES
AN GARDA SÍOCHÁNA ANNUAL REPORT 1999

INDICTABLE OFFENCES WHICH BECAME KNOWN TO GARDAI FROM JANUARY TO SEPT


No. of No. of Informations Results of Proceedings in Cases Dealt with on Indictment Results of Pr
ANALYSIS OF INDICTABLE

Offences Offences Refused Convictions Acquittals Found Nolle Adjourned Committed Convictions Dismi
Reported in Which Insane & Prosequi Sine Die or For Trial
OFFENCES

or Known Criminal Incapable Entered Otherwise and Still


to the Proceedings of Pleading Disposed Awaiting
Gardaí Were on of (On Trial
Commenced Indictment Indictment)

GROUP 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12

OFFENCES AGAINST THE PERSON (#Jan-Sept incl.)


#Murder 28 13 0 0 0 0 0 0 5 0 0
#Infanticide 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
#Attempt to murder 6 5 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0
#Murder - threats etc. 5 5 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0
#Manslaughter 8 6 0 0 0 0 0 0 3 0 0
JUVENILE OFFENCES

#Manslaughter (traffic fatalities) 4 2 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0


#Dangerous driving causing death(s) 14 12 0 1 0 0 0 0 4 0 0
#Dangerous driving causing sbh. 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
#Assaults, wounding, etc. 428 243 0 4 0 0 0 0 16 20 3
#Assaults, wounding, etc. (gdai on duty) 21 15 0 1 0 0 0 0 1 4 0
#Poss fa or ammo wi endanger life 10 6 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0
#Endangering railway passengers 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
#Intimidation 16 8 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 0
#Intimidation by letter etc. 14 7 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 0
#Cruelty to or neglect of children 5 5 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
#Abandon children under two years 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
NON-INDICTABLE OFFENCES

#Child Stealing 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
#Procuring/assisting in abortion 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
#Concealment of birth 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
#Buggery of males only 78 48 0 0 0 0 0 0 3 0 0
#Bestiality 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
#Rape of females 218 80 0 0 0 0 0 0 14 0 1
#Sexual assault on females or males 431 181 0 4 0 0 1 0 19 5 0
#Unlawful carnal knowledge under 15 20 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 0 0
#Unlawful carnal knowledge (15-17) 7 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0
#Incest 8 5 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0
#Procuration 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
#Abduction (females) 8 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
#Bigamy 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
#Kidnapping 2 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0
#Aggravated Sexual Assault 5 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
#Use fa resist arrest or aid escape 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
DRUG OFFENCES

#Possession fa or ammo in susp circs 28 14 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0


#Carry fa with criminal intent 12 6 0 0 0 0 0 0 5 0 0
#False imprisonment 33 16 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0
TOTAL (#Jan-Sept incl.) 1,414 686 0 11 0 0 1 0 78 35 4

GROUP 2 - OFFENCES AGAINST PROPERTY


#Burglary 17,396 4,251 1 34 0 0 0 1 23 369 1
#Possess article with intent 133 121 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 10 0
#Armed robbery 85 13 0 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 0
#Armed attack on house 25 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
#Threat to publish wi to extort 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
#Arson 207 54 0 0 0 0 0 0 4 2 0
#Killing and maiming cattle 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
TRAFFIC OFFENCES

#Causing an explosion 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
#Attempting to cause explosion 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
#Malicious damage to schools 236 41 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 11 0
#Other malicious injury to property 6,197 2,597 0 9 0 0 0 0 18 354 10
#Interference with railway 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
#Possession of explosive substance 4 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
#Making explosives 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
#Aggravated burglary other 543 191 0 2 0 0 0 0 17 5 0
#Robbery 1,219 375 0 2 0 0 0 0 29 12 0
#Unlawful seizure of aircraft 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
#Unlawful seizure of vehicles 18 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
#Armed aggravated burglary 121 36 0 1 0 0 0 0 2 4 0
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

TOTAL (#Jan-Sept incl.) 26,186 7,685 1 49 0 0 0 1 94 767 11

59
INDICTABLE OFFENCES
TEMBER 1999
roceedings in Cases Dealt with Summarily Offences Persons Convicted or Against Whom the Charge was held proved or order made without Conviction

ANALYSIS OF INDICTABLE
ssals Charge Charge Adjourned Still detected
Proved Withdrawn Sine Die Pending & where no Under 14 Years 14-16 Yrs 17 - 20 Yrs 21 Yrs and Over

OFFENCES
& Order or in District proceedings
Made Otherwise Court are Male Female Male Female Male Female Male Female Total
Without Disposed shown Persons
Conviction of

2 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22

0 0 0 0 8 7 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
0 0 0 0 4 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
0 0 0 0 4 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 1
0 0 0 0 3 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

JUVENILE OFFENCES
0 0 0 0 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 1
0 0 0 0 7 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 1
0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
3 0 0 1 199 106 0 0 0 0 15 1 14 1 31
0 0 0 0 9 4 0 0 1 0 2 0 2 0 5
0 0 0 0 5 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
0 0 0 0 6 5 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 0 2
0 0 0 0 5 4 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 2
0 0 0 0 5 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

NON-INDICTABLE OFFENCES
0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
0 0 0 0 45 21 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
0 2 0 63 94 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
0 0 1 0 151 167 0 0 0 0 2 0 7 0 9
0 0 0 0 1 17 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
0 0 0 0 2 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
0 0 0 0 4 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
0 0 0 0 0 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
0 0 0 0 0 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

DRUG OFFENCES
0 0 0 0 13 13 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
0 0 0 0 1 4 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
0 0 0 0 15 7 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1
4 0 3 1 553 470 0 0 1 0 19 1 29 3 53

20 7 7 3,788 1302 5 3 56 3 187 3 236 9 502


0 0 0 0 111 6 0 0 0 0 3 0 6 1 10
0 1 0 0 10 9 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 0 2
0 0 0 0 3 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
0 0 0 0 48 37 0 0 2 0 2 0 1 0 5
0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
TRAFFIC OFFENCES

0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
0 1 0 0 29 70 0 0 5 0 8 0 2 0 15
0 12 22 6 2,166 1,043 2 1 38 4 178 3 217 9 452
0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
0 0 0 0 1 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
0 1 1 0 165 85 0 0 1 0 3 0 3 1 8
0 2 0 0 330 130 0 0 1 0 10 0 9 0 20
0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
0 0 0 0 1 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
0 0 0 0 29 17 0 0 0 0 4 0 1 0 5
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

37 30 13 6,682 2,707 7 4 103 7 395 6 477 20 1,019


ctd <over>

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INDICTABLE OFFENCES
INDICTABLE OFFENCES WHICH BECAME KNOWN TO GARDAI FROM JANUARY TO SEP
No. of No. of Informations Results of Proceedings in Cases Dealt with on Indictment Results of Pr
Offences Offences Refused Convictions Acquittals Found Nolle Adjourned Committed Convictions Dismi
Reported in Which Insane & Prosequi Sine Die or For Trial
or Known Criminal Incapable Entered Otherwise and Still
to the Proceedings of Pleading Disposed Awaiting
Gardaí Were on of (On Trial
Commenced Indictment Indictment)
GROUP3 LARCENIES ETC. (#Jan-Sept incl.) 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12

#Larceny of horses cattle or sheep 25 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0


#Larceny of other livestock 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
ANALYSIS OF INDICTABLE

#Larceny from persons (pickpocket) 2,179 497 0 0 0 0 0 0 3 15 0


#Larceny in house to value of £5 10 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
#Larceny from house by employee 15 9 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 1 0
OFFENCES

#Larceny of firearms 11 4 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0
#Larceny of explosives 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
#Larceny of motor cars 591 40 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 2 0
#Larceny of motor cycles etc. 137 9 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
#Larceny of motor lorries 8 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
#Larceny of other m.p.v.’s 55 4 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
#Larceny of pedal cycles 163 59 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 4 0
#Larceny of m.p.v. accessories 353 63 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 0
#Larceny from unattended vehicles 9,014 2,320 0 5 0 0 0 0 19 135 0
#Larceny of petrol, diesel, l.p.g. 192 59 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 11 0
#Larceny from shops or stalls 5,389 3,526 0 10 0 0 0 1 9 281 8
#Larceny of cash, cheques etc. 1,136 414 0 0 0 0 0 0 3 50 2
#Larceny of drugs 3 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0
JUVENILE OFFENCES

#Larceny of t.v.’s, radios etc. 48 14 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 3 0


#Larceny of jewellery or watches 78 19 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 0
#Larceny of cigarettes 36 12 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 2 0
#Larceny of copper, lead etc. 22 6 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
#Other larcenies 9,655 1,877 0 4 0 0 0 0 9 150 1
#Embezzlement 38 9 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 4 0
#False pretences 390 296 0 16 0 0 0 0 4 100 1
#Frauds by agents, trustees etc. 6 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
#Fraud by bogus advertisers 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
#Fraud by bogus sales persons 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
#Larceny from persons (muggings) 1,195 246 0 0 0 0 0 0 5 17 0
#Frauds by bogus company 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
#Frauds by obtaining credit 20 13 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 0
NON-INDICTABLE OFFENCES

#Fraudulent conversion 14 8 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0
#Falsification of accounts 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
#Other frauds 115 80 0 0 0 0 0 0 3 7 0
#Handling stolen goods 1,075 908 0 4 0 0 0 0 8 67 5
#Cheating 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
#Forgery and uttering 1,486 1,052 0 18 0 0 0 0 15 150 1
#Coinage Acts - Offences Against 3 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
#Debtors Ireland Act 1872 - other 23 15 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 3 0
#Post Office Acts - Offences 18 11 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 3 0
#Extortion 15 10 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
TOTAL (#Jan-Sept incl.) 33,524 11,593 0 59 0 0 0 2 82 1,011 18

GROUP 4 – OTHER OFFENCES (#Jan-Sept incl.)


#Official Secrets Act 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
#Treason Act 1939 Offences 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
#Offences Against State 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
#Affray, riot or violent disorder 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
#Incitement 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
DRUG OFFENCES

#Bribery 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
#Perjury 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
#Indecent exposure 13 7 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 0
#Brothel keeping 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
#Prison Breach 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
#Escape from lawful custody 4 4 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0
#Rescue from lawful custody 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
#Public Mischief 10 6 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0
#Conspiracy 4 4 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 0 0
#Destroy-dispose of dead bodies 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
#Electoral Acts 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
#Personation on Indictment 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
#Embracery 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
#Misprision of felony 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
#Wireless Telegraphy Act 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
TRAFFIC OFFENCES

#Corruption 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
#Obstruct clergy during services 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
#Other Indictable Offences 95 69 0 0 0 0 0 0 8 3 0
#Misuse of Drugs Act 1977 186 138 0 10 0 0 0 0 69 0 0
#Forcible Entry Act 1971 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
#Compounding a felony 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
#Fishery Acts 16 15 0 8 0 0 0 0 2 1 0
#U/T of MPV - indictment 22 20 0 1 0 0 0 1 12 0 0
#Firearms Off. Weapons Act 1990 36 27 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Total (#Jan-Sept incl.) 392 293 0 19 0 0 0 1 94 7 0
Total Indictable Offences (#Jan-Sept incl.) 61,516 20,257 1 138 0 0 1 4 348 1,820 33
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

INDICTABLE OFFENCES PENDING FROM PREVIOUS YEARS DEALT WITH FROM JANUAR
Group 1 (#Jan-Sept Incl.) 856# 836* 3 62 6 0 2 2 125 47 8
Group 2 (#Jan-Sept Incl.) 10425# 10212* 0 150 1 0 3 0 262 2,313 93
Group 3 (#Jan-Sept Incl.) 14047# 13944* 2 67 0 0 1 0 137 3,033 142
Group 4 (#Jan-Sept Incl.) 268# 268* 0 20 0 0 4 0 91 14 3
TOTAL (#Jan-Sept Incl.) 25,596# 25,260* 5 299 7 0 10 2 615 5,407 246

61
INDICTABLE OFFENCES
PTEMBER 1999 Contd.
roceedings in Cases Dealt with Summarily Offences Persons Convicted or Against Whom the Charge was held proved or order made without Conviction
ssals Charge Charge Adjourned Still detected
Proved Withdrawn Sine Die Pending & where no Under 14 Years 14-16 Yrs 17 - 20 Yrs 21 Yrs and Over
& Order or in District proceedings
Made Otherwise Court are Male Female Male Female Male Female Male Female Total
Without Disposed shown Persons
Conviction of
2 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22

0 0 0 0 2 4 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

ANALYSIS OF INDICTABLE
0 1 4 0 474 62 0 0 1 0 2 0 8 6 17
0 0 0 0 3 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
0 0 0 1 6 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 1

OFFENCES
0 0 0 0 3 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 1
0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
0 0 0 0 37 11 0 0 0 0 1 0 1 0 2
0 0 0 0 9 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
0 0 0 0 4 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
0 1 2 0 52 54 1 0 1 0 0 0 3 0 5
0 0 1 0 60 31 0 0 1 0 0 0 1 0 2
0 10 2 0 2,144 642 0 0 22 0 69 0 79 0 170
0 0 1 0 46 24 0 0 1 0 7 0 5 0 13
8 36 6 0 3,168 1,028 3 2 24 6 63 43 132 94 367
2 2 2 0 355 214 0 0 7 0 20 3 21 4 55
0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 0 2

JUVENILE OFFENCES
0 0 0 0 11 4 0 0 0 0 1 0 2 0 3
0 0 0 0 17 21 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 2
0 0 1 0 8 5 0 0 0 0 1 0 1 1 3
0 0 0 0 6 4 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
10 4 1 1,698 678 1 0 15 0 47 5 98 13 179
0 1 0 0 4 29 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 5 5
5 0 0 170 47 0 0 0 0 3 5 109 5 122
0 0 0 0 3 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
0 1 2 1 220 77 0 0 3 0 10 1 5 0 19
0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
0 0 0 0 11 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 1

NON-INDICTABLE OFFENCES
0 0 1 0 6 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
0 4 0 0 66 12 0 0 0 0 4 4 4 0 12
5 5 3 0 816 167 0 0 2 1 21 10 44 6 83
0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
2 4 9 853 232 1 0 2 0 27 8 91 42 172
0 0 0 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
0 0 0 0 11 5 0 0 0 0 2 0 1 0 3
0 0 0 0 8 6 0 0 0 0 0 0 3 0 3
0 0 0 0 10 5 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
8 78 33 25 10,285 3,378 6 2 79 7 279 79 612 178 1,242

0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

DRUG OFFENCES
0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
0 0 0 0 5 5 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 0 2
0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
0 0 0 0 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 1
0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
0 0 0 0 5 4 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
0 0 0 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
TRAFFIC OFFENCES

0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
0 1 0 0 57 21 0 0 0 0 0 0 3 1 4
0 0 0 2 57 48 0 0 0 0 3 0 6 1 10
0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
0 0 0 0 4 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 9 0 9
0 0 0 0 6 2 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 1
0 0 0 0 27 6 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
0 1 0 2 169 90 0 0 0 0 4 0 21 2 27
3 116 66 41 17,689 6,645 13 6 183 14 697 86 1,139 203 2,341
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

RY TO SEPTEMBER 1999
8 3 15 3 508 61 0 0 15 1 42 2 83 2 145
3 72 88 8 7,205 193 28 1 364 9 926 13 1,499 32 2,872
2 97 127 31 10,174 215 26 6 286 29 840 194 1,552 469 3,402
3 0 0 0 125 8 0 0 5 0 10 1 22 5 43
6 172 230 42 18,012 477 54 7 670 39 1,818 210 3,156 508 6,462

62
INDICTABLE OFFENCES
AN GARDA SÍOCHÁNA ANNUAL REPORT 1999

1999 INDICTABLE OFFENCES:


A COMPARATIVE CONTEXT
1999 CIONTA IONCHÚISITHE:
COMHTHÉACS COMPÁRÁIDEACH
ANALYSIS OF INDICTABLE
OFFENCES

In order to demonstrate the context within which the current year’s statistics have been
recorded the chart below shows indictable offences for the fifteen years to 1999. The
volume of indictable offences recorded in Ireland in 1999 is the second lowest during the
1980s and 1990s. A total of 81,274 indictable offences were recorded in 1999. This is a
reduction of 5% over the previous year and a reduction of 21% over 1995 which was the
year in which the highest volume was recorded.
JUVENILE OFFENCES

Indictable offences recorded 1985 to 1999

105,000 102,484
101,036 100,785
98,979

95,391
94,406
NON-INDICTABLE OFFENCES

91,285 90,875
89,544
OFFENCES

87,658
86,574 86,792
85,358 85,627

81,274
DRUG OFFENCES

0
85 86 87 88 89 90 91 92 93 94 95 96 97 98 99
YEARS

Detection rates 1990 to 1999

50%
44%
43%
TRAFFIC OFFENCES

42%
40%
41%

39% 39%
30%
RATE

36%
20%
34% 34%
33%
10%
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

0%
1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999
YEARS

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INDICTABLE OFFENCES
AN GARDA SÍOCHÁNA ANNUAL REPORT 1999

On average, the detection rate remained at 33% for the first seven years of the 15 year
period referred to above. A sustained increase began in 1991 and the chart on the right

ANALYSIS OF INDICTABLE
illustrates how the rate rose almost every year to 44% in 1998. The detection rate was
42% in 1999. Although it decreased during 1999, the rate exceeded 40% in all of the

OFFENCES
years from 1996 to 1999.
Indictable offences recorded and
detected 1990 to 1999
The number of offences recorded and detected in
each of the ten years to 1999 are shown in the Year Recorded Detected
1990 87,658 28,985
table on the right. A total of 81,274 indictable 1991 94,406 31,653
offences were recorded in 1999 and 34,309 of 1992 95,391 32,400
1993 98,979 35,430

JUVENILE OFFENCES
these offences were detected at year’s end. 1994 101,036 39,108
1995 102,484 39,754
1996 100,785 41,056
1997 90,875 38,943
The table below shows the four groups into which 1998 85,627 37,972
indictable offences are divided. It shows the four 1999 81,274 34,309

groups for 1998 and for January to September


1999. The table does not allow a direct comparison between the two years. Comparisons

NON-INDICTABLE OFFENCES
from year to year are shown for the majority of the offences which feature in the analysis
of indictable offences in the next section of the report.

Indictable offences
1998 and 1999 (Jan-Sept incl.)
Recorded Detected Detection
Rate

DRUG OFFENCES
1999* 1998 1999* 1998 1999* 1998
Offences against the person 1,414 1,907 1,156 1,622 81.8% 85.0%
Offences against property 26,186 37,191 10,392 15,411 39.7% 41.0%
Larcenies 33,524 46,127 14,971 20,545 44.7% 45.0%
Other indictable offences 392 402 383 394 97.7% 98.0%
Total 61,516 85,627 26,902 37,972 43.7% 44.0%

*January to September inclusive


TRAFFIC OFFENCES

A summary of the indictable offences recorded in 1997, 1998 and 1999 (Jan-Sept incl.) is
shown in the table overleaf. (Approximately 120 different indictable offences are shown in
the four large format tables which appear at the beginning of this section of the Annual
Report.) The chart on the right shows the proportions of indictable offences recorded in
the eight categories which are used in the summary table below.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

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INDICTABLE OFFENCES
AN GARDA SÍOCHÁNA ANNUAL REPORT 1999

Summary of indictable offences


1999 (Jan-Sept incl.)
ANALYSIS OF INDICTABLE

Criminal damage Other


11% Offences
OFFENCES

1% Non sexual offences


against the person
Burglaries 5%
30%
JUVENILE OFFENCES

Larcenies from
Frauds unattended
3% vehicles 15%

Sexual offences Other Larcenies


1% 34%
NON-INDICTABLE OFFENCES
DRUG OFFENCES
TRAFFIC OFFENCES
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

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INDICTABLE OFFENCES
AN GARDA SÍOCHÁNA ANNUAL REPORT 1999

Summary of indictable offences 1997 to 1999 (Jan-Sept incl.)

ANALYSIS OF INDICTABLE
1997 1998 1999(Jan-Sept incl.)
Non sexual offences against the person Offences Offences Offences Offences Offences Offences
known detected known detected known# detected#

OFFENCES
Murder 38 34 38 34 28 20
Manslaughter * 16 16 16 15 12 11
Infanticide 0 0 0 0 0 0
Attempted Murder 1 1 5 5 6 5
Dangerous Driving Causing death 16 15 29 29 14 14
Assault, Wounding or other like offences * 591 472 691 571 450 369
Endangering Railway Passengers * 5 5 0 0 2 1
Abandoning Child under 2 years 0 0 0 0 0 0

JUVENILE OFFENCES
Cruelty to or neglect of Children 0 0 0 0 5 5
Child Stealing 1 1 1 1 1 1
Abortion 0 0 0 0 0 0
False Imprisonment 27 22 22 13 33 23
Abduction 4 0 9 3 8 3
Use of Firearms to resist or escape 0 0 2 2 1 1
Kidnapping 0 0 0 0 2 1
Robbery including muggings * 4,990 1,442 3,817 1,158 2,414 828
Robbery with Firearms 88 31 61 27 85 22

NON-INDICTABLE OFFENCES
Total 5,777 2,039 4,691 1,858 3,061 1,304

1997 1998 1999(Jan-Sept incl.)


Sexual offences Offences Offences Offences Offences Offences Offences
known detected known detected known# detected#

Sexual Assault 602 518 598 520 431 348


Aggravated Sexual Assault 11 9 11 8 5 3
Rape of Females 256 214 292 244 218 174
Buggery 80 72 29 28 78 69
Unlawful carnal knowledge of girl – U 15 23 19 18 17 20 20
Unlawful carnal knowledge of girl – 15-17 19 17 12 12 7 5

DRUG OFFENCES
Incest 10 10 18 18 8 8
Bestiality 1 1 1 1 0 0
Procuration 0 0 0 0 0 0
Other sexual offences * 13 11 13 13 13 12
Total 1,015 871 992 861 780 639

1997 1998 1999(Jan-Sept incl.)


Larcenies Offences Offences Offences Offences Offences Offences
known detected known detected known# detected#
TRAFFIC OFFENCES

Larceny from Person (Pickpockets) 3,652 775 3,202 742 2,179 559
Larceny by Employee 16 11 25 20 15 11
Post Office Act - Offences 25 20 15 12 18 17
Larceny of Animals * 75 22 50 10 28 7
Larceny of Pedal Cycles 307 246 292 209 163 113
Larceny from unattended vehicles 13,441 4,132 12,377 4,068 9,014 2,962
Larceny from shops or stalls 7,198 6,196 7,688 6,611 5,389 4,554
Unauthorised takings of M.P.V.’s 17 16 20 19 22 22
Larceny of M.P.V.’s * 2,450 103 1,500 97 791 69
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Handling of stolen goods 1,443 1,442 1,311 1,311 1,075 1,075


Larceny of Firearms * 21 5 12 3 11 5
Other Larcenies * 13,888 4,001 14,530 4,211 11,533 3,451
Total 42,533 16,969 41,022 17,313 30,238 12,845

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INDICTABLE OFFENCES
AN GARDA SÍOCHÁNA ANNUAL REPORT 1999

Summary of indictable offences 1997 to 1999 <Contd>


ANALYSIS OF INDICTABLE

1997 1998 1999(Jan-Sept incl.)


Frauds Offences Offences Offences Offences Offences Offences
known detected known detected known# detected#
OFFENCES

Fraud by a bogus company 1 0 0 0 0 0


Offences involving falsification * 2,660 2,306 2,333 2,019 1,567 1,353
Other Frauds * 688 597 801 715 531 457
Total 3,349 2,903 3,134 2,734 2,098 1,810

1997 1998 1999(Jan-Sept incl.)


Burglaries Offences Offences Offences Offences Offences Offences
known detected known detected known# detected#
JUVENILE OFFENCES

Burglary 27,503 9,664 25,730 8,874 17,396 5,553


Aggravated Burglary other 981 419 657 286 543 276
Aggravated Burglary with Firearm * 179 57 178 63 146 59
Possession of Articles with intent 300 298 200 199 133 127
Total 28,963 10,438 26,765 9,422 18,218 6,015

1997 1998 1999(Jan-Sept incl.)


Criminal damage Offences Offences Offences Offences Offences Offences
NON-INDICTABLE OFFENCES

known detected known detected known# detected#

Arson 288 142 281 137 207 91


Possession of Explosives/making explosives* 5 5 3 3 4 3
Causing or attempting to cause explosion * 1 0 1 0 0 0
Unlawful Seizure (Hijackings) * 39 18 24 12 18 4
Other - Criminal Damage * 8,391 5,057 8,224 5,163 6,433 3,751
Total 8,724 5,222 8,533 5,315 6,662 3,849

1997 1998 1999(Jan-Sept incl.)


Other offences Offences Offences Offences Offences Offences Offences
known detected known detected known# detected#
DRUG OFFENCES

Bigamy 0 0 0 0 0 0
Misuse of Controlled drugs 276 276 193 193 186 186
Extortion/Blackmail * 7 5 6 6 16 16
Escape from Custody * 9 9 8 8 4 4
Electoral Acts * 2 2 0 0 1 1
Threat or Conspiracy to Murder 0 0 5 5 5 5
Possession/Carrying firearms to endanger life * 78 71 71 64 50 45
Concealment of Birth 2 2 1 1 1 1
Offences Against the State Act 1 1 1 1 1 1
Fishery Acts 37 37 19 19 16 16
TRAFFIC OFFENCES

Firearms, Offensive Weapons Act 47 46 31 31 36 33


Other Indictable Offences * 55 52 155 143 143 132
Total 514 501 490 471 459 440
GRAND TOTAL 90,875 38,943 85,627 37,972 61,516 26,902
* More than one offence type included in the description. Details are provided in Appendix.
* January to September inclusive
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

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INDICTABLE OFFENCES
AN GARDA SÍOCHÁNA ANNUAL REPORT 1999

ANALYSIS OF INDICTABLE OFFENCES


AINILÍS AR CHIONTA IONCHÚISITHE
The tables at the beginning of this section show indictable offences by location and per

INDICTABLE OFFENCES
thousand of population while the remainder of the section is devoted to an analysis of
individual indictable offences such as murder, manslaughter, sexual offences, robberies

ANALYSIS OF
involving firearms, burglaries and larcenies.

The proportions of indictable offences recorded in each of the regions for 1999 is shown in
the chart overleaf. Some indication of the annual change is provided by including the
proportions recorded in 1998 in brackets. More than 3,700 fewer indictable offences were
recorded in the Dublin Metropolitan Region during 1999 when compared with the previous
year.

The table below shows the number of indictable offences in each of the four groups from

JUVENILE OFFENCES
January to September (inclusive)1999. The total number of indictable offences for the full
twelve month period are shown in the table overleaf which compares the 1999 indictable
offences with those recorded for the previous year.
Indictable offences recorded and detected by Garda regions and five principal city areas during 1999 (Jan-Sept incl.)

Group 1* Group 2* Group 3* Group 4* Total* No. of %


Offences Offences Larcenies Other Indictable Detections Detected*
against against Indictable Offence for 1999*
the Person. Property Offences.

NON-INDICTABLE OFFENCES
Rec. Det. Rec. Det. Rec. Det. Rec. Det.
EASTERN REGION 290 235 4,508 1,585 3,530 1,731 51 51 8,379 3,602 43%
Carlow/Kildare 62 55 1,343 478 1,049 527 0 0 2,454 1,060 43%
Laois/Offaly 72 46 547 172 419 221 37 37 1,075 476 44%
Longford/Westmeath 52 49 691 302 633 333 1 1 1,377 685 50%
Louth/Meath 104 85 1,927 633 1,429 650 13 13 3,473 1,381 40%
DUBLIN MET. REGION 436 350 10,856 4,320 20,126 8,229 157 150 31,575 13,049 41%
Eastern 51 48 1,879 667 2,367 807 6 5 4,303 1,527 35%
North Central 66 46 1,333 590 5,023 2,495 15 15 6,437 3,146 49%
Northern 111 99 1,590 713 1,862 836 64 62 3,627 1,710 47%
South Central 37 27 1,873 801 6,402 2,465 23 22 8,335 3,315 40%
Southern 75 57 2,198 831 2,337 881 34 33 4,644 1,802 39%
Western 96 73 1,983 718 2,135 745 15 13 4,229 1,549 37%
NORTHERN REGION 117 94 1,425 579 856 366 19 19 2,417 1,058 44%

DRUG OFFENCES
Cavan/Monaghan 34 27 441 222 278 162 3 3 756 414 55%
Donegal 55 46 596 260 338 124 14 14 1,003 444 44%
Sligo/Leitrim 28 21 388 97 240 80 2 2 658 200 30%
SOUTH EASTERN REGION 171 149 3,030 1,423 2,510 1,575 49 49 5,760 3,196 55%
Tipperary 44 35 616 332 497 338 24 24 1,181 729 62%
Waterford/Kilkenny 49 44 1,349 651 1,129 810 13 13 2,540 1,518 60%
Wexford/Wicklow 78 70 1,065 440 884 427 12 12 2,039 949 47%
SOUTHERN REGION 262 212 4,446 1,684 4,613 2,121 93 91 9,414 4,108 44%
Cork City 71 59 1,929 663 1,887 885 57 55 3,944 1,662 42%
Cork North 49 45 537 264 452 247 11 11 1,049 567 54%
Cork West 50 36 469 187 415 170 12 12 946 405 43%
TRAFFIC OFFENCES

Kerry 34 30 470 217 584 279 1 1 1,089 527 48%


Limerick 58 42 1,041 353 1,275 540 12 12 2,386 947 40%
WESTERN REGION 138 116 1,921 801 1,889 948 23 23 3,971 1,888 48%
Clare 23 18 348 166 380 181 13 13 764 378 49%
Galway West 42 29 844 315 827 408 3 3 1,716 755 44%
Mayo 37 33 380 129 376 173 1 1 794 336 42%
Roscommon/Galway East 36 36 349 191 306 186 6 6 697 419 60%
STATE TOTAL* 1,414 1,156 26,186 10,392 33,524 14,970 392 383 61,516 26,901 44%
City Areas
Dublin 436 350 10,856 4,320 20,126 8,229 157 150 31,575 13,049 41%
Cork 57 49 1,634 542 1,681 792 53 52 3,425 1,435 42%
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Galway 28 16 612 222 668 338 0 0 1,308 576 44%


Limerick 50 36 799 289 1,110 474 9 9 1,968 808 41%
Waterford 13 10 695 365 622 520 8 8 1,338 903 67%
TOTAL – CITIES* 584 461 14,596 5,738 24,207 10,353 227 219 39,614 16,771 42%
TOTAL – RURAL* 830 695 11,590 4,654 9,317 4,617 165 164 21,902 10,130 46%

* January to September inclusive

68
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INDICTABLE OFFENCES

AN GARDA SÍOCHÁNA ANNUAL REPORT 1999

Proportion of indictable offences in each region 1999 (Proportions for 1998 in brackets)
INDICTABLE OFFENCES

Dublin Metropolitan Region


52% (53%)
ANALYSIS OF

Northern Region
4% (4%)
JUVENILE OFFENCES

South Eastern
Region Eastern Region
9% (8%) 14% (13%)
Southern Region
15% (15%) Western Region
6% (6%)

The detection rates in each of the regions for 1998 and the previous year are shown in the
chart above. The overall detection rate fell to 42% in 1999 from 44% in the previous
NON-INDICTABLE OFFENCES

year.
The highest rate was recorded in the South Eastern Region (52%) while the lowest rate
(40%) was recorded in the Dublin Metropolitan Region. Although the detection rate
decreased in 1999 it should be seen within the context of preceding years. The rate
exceeded 40% in the years 1996 to 1999 having risen from 33% at the beginning of the
decade.
Further comparison across the regions is possible by relating the number of offences
recorded to population. The chart on the right shows the rate of indictable offences per
1,000 of population in each of the regions for 1999. When compared with the previous
DRUG OFFENCES

year the most significant change is found in the Dublin Metropolitan Region where the
rate reduced from 42 in 1998 to 39 in the year under review.

Detection rates by region 1998 and 1999

Detection Rate 1998 Detection Rate 1999

58

56
TRAFFIC OFFENCES

54

52

50

48

46

44

42

40

38
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

36

34

32

30
Eastern Dublin Northern S. Eastern Southern Western State
Metropolitan

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INDICTABLE OFFENCES
AN GARDA SÍOCHÁNA ANNUAL REPORT 1999

More detailed information is provided on a divisional basis for two years in the table of
indictable offences per 1,000 of population in the table below. The table also shows the

INDICTABLE OFFENCES
percentage variation between the number of indictable offences which were recorded in
each of the two years. Taking all of the regions together, the volume of indictable

ANALYSIS OF
offences recorded decreased in
Indictable offences per 1,000 of population 1999 1999 by 5% when compared
with the previous year. There
was a considerable difference
Eastern 18 between the regions: the
Northern Region increased by
Dublin
Met. Region 39 2% and the South Eastern
Region increased by 7% while

JUVENILE OFFENCES
Northern 11 the remaining regions all
decreased. The decreases
South Eastern 17 varied from 8% in the Dublin
Metropolitan Region to 2% in
Southern 17
the Western and Eastern
Western 11
Regions.

NON-INDICTABLE OFFENCES
0 10 20 30 40 50 60

Indictable offences per 1,000 of population 1999

1999 % Variation on 1998 per 1000 of population


Recorded Detected Det. Rate previous year Recorded Detected Det. Rate 1999 1998
EASTERN REGION 11,196 4,683 42% -2% 11,379 5,325 47% 18.21 18.51
Carlow/Kildare 3,208 1,364 43% -5% 3,365 1,556 46% 18.79 19.71
Laois/Offaly 1,417 596 42% 15% 1,227 642 52% 12.90 11.17
Longford/Westmeath 1,855 889 48% 6% 1,750 890 51% 18.44 17.40
Louth/Meath 4,716 1,834 39% -6% 5,037 2,237 44% 20.18 21.56
DUBLIN MET. REGION 41,821 16,572 40% -8% 45,592 18,527 41% 38.63 42.12
Eastern 5,586 1,936 35% -8% 6,046 2,338 39% 25.94 28.07

DRUG OFFENCES
North Central 8,776 4,074 46% -5% 9,267 4,598 50% 139.18 146.97
Northern 4,894 2,246 46% -13% 5,639 2,751 49% 19.50 22.47
South Central 11,005 4,192 38% -9% 12,114 4,012 33% 112.61 123.96
Southern 6,096 2,112 35% -10% 6,782 2,909 43% 26.60 29.59
Western 5,464 2,012 37% -5% 5,744 1,919 33% 24.16 25.40
NORTHERN REGION 3,489 1,563 45% 2% 3,419 1,737 51% 11.10 10.87
Cavan/Monaghan 1,079 577 53% -6% 1,146 565 49% 9.70 10.30
Donegal 1,449 645 45% 10% 1,314 690 53% 11.15 10.11
Sligo/Leitrim 961 341 35% 0% 959 482 50% 13.12 13.10
SOUTH EASTERN REGION 7,502 3,929 52% 7% 6,982 3,815 55% 16.59 15.44
Tipperary 1,468 846 58% 0% 1,473 864 59% 10.53 10.57
Waterford/Kilkenny 3,366 1,938 58% 9% 3,074 1,847 60% 20.98 19.16
TRAFFIC OFFENCES

Wexford/Wicklow 2,668 1,145 43% 10% 2,435 1,104 45% 17.52 15.99
SOUTHERN REGION 12,262 5,275 43% -7% 13,133 6,039 46% 17.06 18.27
Cork City 5,220 2,103 40% -9% 5,722 2,523 44% 26.21 28.73
Cork North 1,415 779 55% -12% 1,610 881 55% 12.31 14.00
Cork West 1,225 542 44% 4% 1,175 543 46% 10.70 10.26
Kerry 1,357 656 48% -6% 1,438 655 46% 10.92 11.57
Limerick 3,045 1,195 39% -4% 3,188 1,437 45% 18.35 19.21
WESTERN REGION 5,004 2,287 46% -2% 5,122 2,529 49% 11.29 11.55
Clare 901 435 48% -18% 1,101 526 48% 9.85 12.04
Galway West 2,193 1,904 41% -1% 2,226 1,084 49% 15.40 15.63
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Mayo 1,038 454 44% 6% 977 480 49% 8.84 8.32


Roscommon/Galway East 872 494 57% 7% 818 439 54% 9.47 8.89
STATE TOTAL 81,274 34,309 42% -5% 85,627 37,972 44% 22.41 23.61

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INDICTABLE OFFENCES

AN GARDA SÍOCHÁNA ANNUAL REPORT 1999

HOMICIDE
DÚNBHÁSÚ
INDICTABLE OFFENCES

In keeping with the approach used in the previous annual reports the term homicide is
used in the analysis of unlawful killings. Used in the strict sense, the term homicide
ANALYSIS OF

includes more indictable offences than murder and manslaughter. For example,
infanticide and manslaughter arising from road traffic fatalities constitute homicide but
they are not analysed here. There were 38 murders recorded in 1999 which was the same
as the previous year. Some 82% (31) of the 1999 murders were detected. Manslaughters
decreased from 13 in 1998 to 9 in 1999. All of the 9 were detected. When murders and
manslaughters are combined the total recorded in 1999 represents a decrease of 8% on
the previous year.

The following table shows the number of murder and manslaughter offences recorded and
JUVENILE OFFENCES

detected in 1999 in each of the Garda divisions.

Homicide offences by region and gender of victims 1999

MURDER MANSLAUGHTER

Per 100K
NON-INDICTABLE OFFENCES

Male Female Rec. Det. Population Male Female Rec. Det.


EASTERN REGION 4 0 4 3 0.65 0 0 0 0
Carlow/Kildare 0 0 0 0 0.00 0 0 0 0
Laois/Offaly 2 0 2 2 1.82 0 0 0 0
Longford/Westmeath 0 0 0 0 0.00 0 0 0 0
Louth/Meath 2 0 2 1 0.86 0 0 0 0
DUBLIN MET. REGION 17 5 22 16 2.03 2 0 2 2
Eastern 2 1 3 2 1.39 0 0 0 0
North Central 2 1 3 3 4.76 0 0 0 0
Northern 2 0 2 1 0.80 0 0 0 0
South Central 1 1 2 2 2.05 0 0 0 0
Southern 5 1 6 4 2.62 1 0 1 1
West 5 1 6 4 2.65 1 0 1 1
NORTHERN REGION 2 0 2 2 0.64 1 0 1 1
DRUG OFFENCES

Cavan/Monaghan 0 0 0 0 0.00 0 0 0 0
Donegal 0 0 0 0 0.00 1 0 1 1
Sligo/Leitrim 2 0 2 2 2.73 0 0 0 0
SOUTH EASTERN REGION 0 1 1 1 0.22 0 0 0 0
Tipperary 0 0 0 0 0.00 0 0 0 0
Waterford/Kilkenny 0 1 1 1 0.62 0 0 0 0
Wexford/Wicklow 0 0 0 0 0.00 0 0 0 0
SOUTHERN REGION 5 2 7 7 0.97 2 0 2 2
Cork City 1 2 3 3 1.51 1 0 1 1
Cork North 0 0 0 0 0.00 1 0 1 1
Cork West 1 0 1 1 0.87 0 0 0 0
TRAFFIC OFFENCES

Kerry 0 0 0 0 0.00 0 0 0 0
Limerick 3 0 3 3 1.81 0 0 0 0
WESTERN REGION 2 0 2 2 0.45 1 3 4 4
Clare 2 0 2 2 2.19 0 0 0 0
Galway West 0 0 0 0 0.00 0 3 3 3
Mayo 0 0 0 0 0.00 1 0 1 1
Roscommon/Galway East 0 0 0 0 0.00 0 0 0 0
Total 30 8 38 31 1.05 6 3 9 9

The proportions of murders in each of the regions is shown in the chart below. To indicate
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

the change over the previous year the 1998 proportions for that year are shown in brackets
after those for the year under review. Although major changes occurred in some regions it
is important to emphasize that relatively small numbers were involved in some locations.

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INDICTABLE OFFENCES
AN GARDA SÍOCHÁNA ANNUAL REPORT 1999

Proportion of murders in each region in 1999


(Proportion for 1998 in brackets)

Dublin Metropolitan Region


58% (63%)

INDICTABLE OFFENCES
Northern Region
5% (5%)

ANALYSIS OF
South Eastern
Region
Western Region 3% (8%)
5% (11%)

Eastern Region Southern Region


11% (5%) 18% (8%)

JUVENILE OFFENCES
Murders per 100,000 of population
Murders per hundred thousand
population are shown in the chart
on the right. The national murder
rate for 1999 (depicted by the State Eastern 0.65

bar in the chart) is 1.05 per Dublin Met.


2.03
Region
100,000 population which is the
same as that for the previous year. Northern 0.64

NON-INDICTABLE OFFENCES
The highest rate in 1999 was
0.22
recorded in the Dublin South Eastern

Metropolitan Region (2.03) while


Southern 0.97
the South Eastern Region recorded
the lowest at 0.22. Western 0.45

The increase in the proportion of State 1.05

female murder victims which


characterized the 1996 statistics 0 0.5 1 1.50 2.0 2.50

contrasts sharply with the


proportions recorded in the following three years. They comprised 45% of the 42 murders

DRUG OFFENCES
recorded in 1996 while they accounted for 34% of the total in 1997 and they accounted
for 24% of the murder victims in 1998 and 21% in 1999. Three of the nine manslaughter
victims recorded in 1999 were female.
Almost a quarter (24%) of all murder
victims (male and female alike) were Homicide victims by age and gender 1999
aged between 21 and 30 years while
29% were aged between 31 and 40 Age Murder Manslaughter
years. Those aged less than 20 years Male Female Male Female
accounted for 16% of all murder 0 - 10 yrs 0 0 0 0
TRAFFIC OFFENCES

victims. 11 - 20 yrs 4 2 2 0
A cautious approach must be 21 - 30 yrs 8 1 0 0
exercised when analysing age and 31 - 40 yrs 9 2 1 0
gender together because of the 41 - 50 yrs 5 2 1 0
relatively small numbers involved in 51 - 60 yrs 3 1 2 0
many of the age groups. In contrast 61 - 70 yrs 0 0 0 0
with the previous three years, when 71 & over 1 0 0 3
relatively higher proportions of TOTAL 30 8 6 3
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

murder victims were female, it is


somewhat less meaningful to compare male and female victims in each of the age groups.
That said, 63% of female victims were aged 40 years or less while the comparable
proportion for male victims was 70%.

Visit the Garda Website at www.garda.ie 72


INDICTABLE OFFENCES

AN GARDA SÍOCHÁNA ANNUAL REPORT 1999

INDICTABLE ASSAULT AND SEXUAL OFFENCES


IONSAÍ IONCHÚISITHE AGUS CIONTA GNÉIS
INDICTABLE OFFENCES

Because of legislative change, the distinction between those assault and wounding offences
ANALYSIS OF

which were felonies and those which were misdemeanours no longer applies to offences
recorded in 1998 and subsequent years. The number of indictable assault and wounding
offences recorded in 1999 for the period January to September (inclusive) is shown in the
following table. The number of victims, for that portion of 1999 are shown by gender in
the table below and the proportions are shown in the corresponding charts. It is important
to acknowledge that the vast majority of assaults dealt with by the Gardaí are non-
indictable offences.
JUVENILE OFFENCES

Indictable assault and sexual offence victims by gender (Jan-Sept incl.)

Assault offences* Male* Female* Total*


Assaults, wounding, etc. 353 75 428
Sexual offences*
Buggery 78 0 78
Rape 0 218 218
NON-INDICTABLE OFFENCES

Sexual assault 170 261 431


Unlawful carnal knowledge (under 15 yrs) 0 20 20
Unlawful carnal knowledge (15 yrs to 17yrs) 0 7 7
Incest 0 8 8
Aggravated sexual assault 1 4 5
*January to September inclusive

Indictable sexual assault victims (Jan-Sept incl.) Indictable wounding and assault victims (Jan-Sept incl.)
DRUG OFFENCES

Female
68% Male
82%

Male Female
32% 18%
TRAFFIC OFFENCES

During the full year 1999 there were 278 rapes recorded and they are shown per 1,000 of
population on the next page.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

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INDICTABLE OFFENCES
AN GARDA SÍOCHÁNA ANNUAL REPORT 1999

Rape per 1,000 of population

INDICTABLE OFFENCES
The number of rapes recorded per
1,000 population in each of the

ANALYSIS OF
regions during 1999 is shown in Eastern 0.11
the chart on the right. The rate
Dublin Met.
varies from 0.05 in the Southern Region
0.09

and Western Regions to 0.11 in the


Northern 0.10
Eastern Region. A more detailed
breakdown of rapes is shown in the South Eastern 0.06
table below that shows the
divisional volume, incidence and Southern 0.05

variation over the previous year.


0.05

JUVENILE OFFENCES
Western

Taking all locations together, the State 0.08


total number of recorded rapes was
5% less in 1999 when compared
0.00 0.01 0.02 0.03 0.04 0.05 0.06 0.07 0.08 0.09 0.10 0.11
with the previous year. In contrast
with most other offences, relatively
large annual variations occurred across locations. For example, the Southern Region
decreased by 40% while the Eastern Region increased by 52%.

NON-INDICTABLE OFFENCES
Rape by division and per 1,000 population 1999

Rape Per 1,000 Variation


population on 1998
EASTERN REGION 67 0.11 52%
Carlow/Kildare 14 0.08 17%
Laois/Offaly 15 0.14 50%
Longford/Westmeath 17 0.17 466%
Louth/Meath 21 0.09 11%
DUBLIN MET. REGION 98 0.09 9%

DRUG OFFENCES
Eastern 22 0.10 100%
North Central 20 0.32 18%
Northern 19 0.08 12%
South Central 5 0.05 -77%
Southern 16 0.07 14%
Western 16 0.07 78%
NORTHERN REGION 32 0.10 -14%
Cavan/Monaghan 11 0.10 0%
Donegal 18 0.14 -22%
Sligo/Leitrim 3 0.04 0%
SOUTH EASTERN REGION 28 0.06 -32%
Tipperary 11 0.08 -35%
TRAFFIC OFFENCES

Waterford/Kilkenny 7 0.04 -36%


Wexford/Wicklow 10 0.07 -23%
SOUTHERN REGION 33 0.05 -40%
Cork City 9 0.05 -57%
Cork North 9 0.08 -18%
Cork West 4 0.03 -64%
Kerry 4 0.03 0%
Limerick 7 0.04 -13%
WESTERN REGION 20 0.05 -20%
Clare 5 0.05 400%
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Galway West 8 0.06 -43%


Mayo 6 0.05 -33%
Roscommon/Galway East 1 0.01 0%
TOTAL 278 0.08 -5%

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INDICTABLE OFFENCES

AN GARDA SÍOCHÁNA ANNUAL REPORT 1999

ARMED ROBBERIES AND ARMED


AGGRAVATED BURGLARIES
ROBÁLAITHE ARMTHA AGUS
INDICTABLE OFFENCES

MÓRBHUIRGLÉIREACHT ARMTHA
ANALYSIS OF

Two indictable offences, armed robbery and armed aggravated burglary, refer to the
criminal activity which is popularly described as an “armed raid”. Rather than explaining
the essential legal ingredients of the two offences, the following brief description indicates
the general nature of the criminal activities to which they refer. The use of a firearm is a
feature common to these two indictable offences and the use of force, or threat of force
being used, is a key difference between them. Armed robbery is committed by a person,
armed with a firearm, who steals as a result of using force or as a result of fear induced by
a threat to use force. Armed aggravated burglary is committed by a person who enters a
JUVENILE OFFENCES

building as a trespasser in order to steal or damage property, or to rape or injure persons


and while in possession of a firearm.

The chart below shows the number of armed robberies and armed aggravated burglaries
which were recorded in the five years from 1995 to 1999. Those recorded in 1999 were
31% more than the previous year and the 1999 total was 54% lower than the
corresponding total recorded in 1995. The detection rate over the five years rose from
28% in 1995 to 40% in 1998 and the rate was 33% in 1999.
NON-INDICTABLE OFFENCES

Armed robberies and armed aggravated burglaries


where firearms were used 1995 to 1999

700
Recorded
600 Detected
542
500 481

400
DRUG OFFENCES

300 290
252
221
200
153 156
100 85 88 96

1995 1996 1997 1998 1999


TRAFFIC OFFENCES

The table below shows the two offences during the period 1995 to 1999. In the table
overleaf, those recorded in 1999, from January to September inclusive, are analysed in
terms of the locations at which they occurred and on the basis of the amount of cash
involved.

Armed robbery and armed aggravated burglary 1995 to 1999


ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

1995 1996 1997 1998 1999


Armed robbery 171 152 88 61 133
Armed aggravated burglary 371 329 164 160 157
Total 542 481 252 221 290

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INDICTABLE OFFENCES
AN GARDA SÍOCHÁNA ANNUAL REPORT 1999

Analysis of aggravated burglaries where firearms were used and armed robberies 1999 (Jan-Sept Incl.)

INDICTABLE OFFENCES
House Bank* Post Betting Building Credit Licensed Amusement Shop/ Garage* Petrol Hotel* Restaurant*Factory* Office* Super- Street/ Other* Total*
Flat* Office* Office* Society* Union* Premises* Centre* Stall* Station* market* Road*

ANALYSIS OF
EASTERN REGION 4 7 3 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 4 1 0 0 0 2 0 1 24
Carlow/Kildare 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 4
Laois/Offaly 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2
Longford/Westmeath 2 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 6
Louth/Meath 1 3 2 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 1 0 0 0 1 0 1 12
DUBLIN MET. REGION 11 2 5 7 1 1 5 3 30 4 10 1 6 1 2 3 17 19 128
Eastern 2 1 0 0 0 0 0 2 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 0 9
North Central 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 0 3 0 4 0 0 0 5 6 20
Northern 3 1 3 1 0 0 1 0 4 0 0 0 1 0 0 2 1 1 18

JUVENILE OFFENCES
South Central 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 9 2 2 0 0 0 1 0 1 4 21
Southern 3 0 1 5 0 1 0 0 2 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 15
Western 2 0 1 1 1 0 3 0 12 2 3 1 1 1 1 1 8 7 45
NORTHERN REGION 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 3 2 0 0 0 0 2 0 9
Cavan/Monaghan 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 4
Donegal 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 4
Sligo/Leitrim 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 1
SOUTH EASTERN REGION 0 3 1 1 0 1 0 0 2 1 2 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 12

NON-INDICTABLE OFFENCES
Tipperary 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 4
Waterford/Kilkenny 0 2 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 6
Wexford/Wicklow 0 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2
SOUTHERN REGION 3 2 0 0 0 3 4 0 5 1 3 0 2 0 2 0 0 1 26
Cork City 1 2 0 0 0 2 1 0 2 1 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 12
Cork North 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Cork West 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1
Kerry 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Limerick 2 0 0 0 0 1 2 0 3 0 1 0 2 0 2 0 0 0 13
WESTERN REGION 0 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 2 7
Clare 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 1

DRUG OFFENCES
Galway West 0 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 6
Mayo 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Roscommon/Galway East 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
TOTALS 18 17 10 9 1 5 9 4 39 6 22 5 8 1 4 6 19 23 206

Cash analysis of aggravated burglaries and armed robberies 1999 (Jan-Sept Incl.)

House Bank* Post Betting Building Credit Licensed Amusement Shop/ Garage* Petrol Hotel* Restaurant*Factory* Office* Super- Street/ Other* Total*
Flat* Office* Office* Society* Union* Premises* Centre* Stall* Station* market* Road*
TRAFFIC OFFENCES

Up to £99 €0 to 126 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 3 1 1 0 2 0 0 0 0 3 12
£100 to £499 €127 to 634 5 1 2 1 1 1 2 0 18 3 10 1 1 0 3 2 1 3 55
£500 to £999 €635 to 1268 0 0 0 3 0 0 1 1 3 0 2 0 2 0 0 0 1 2 15
£1000 to £4999 €1270 to 6348 5 4 3 1 0 2 3 3 4 0 3 3 2 1 0 3 2 3 42
£5000 + €6349 + 1 10 1 2 0 1 1 0 1 0 4 1 0 0 1 0 11 6 40
Nothing Taken 6 2 3 2 0 1 2 0 10 2 2 0 1 0 0 1 4 6 42
TOTALS 18 17 10 9 1 5 9 4 39 6 22 5 8 1 4 6 19 23 206

*January to September inclusive


ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

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INDICTABLE OFFENCES

AN GARDA SÍOCHÁNA ANNUAL REPORT 1999

The number of armed Armed Robbery & Armed Aggravated Burglary per 1,000 of population 1999
robbery & armed
INDICTABLE OFFENCES

aggravated burglary
ANALYSIS OF

offences recorded per Eastern 0.06

1,000 population in Dublin Met.


0.15
Region
each of the regions is
shown in the chart on Northern 0.04

the right. The rate 0.06


South Eastern
varies from 0.03 in the
Southern 0.05
Western Region to 0.15
in the Dublin 0.03
JUVENILE OFFENCES

Western
Metropolitan Region.
State 0.08

0.00 0.02 0.04 0.06 0.08 0.10 0.12 0.14 0.16

A more detailed breakdown of armed robbery and armed aggravated burglary is shown in
the table below which shows the divisional volume, incidence and variation over the
NON-INDICTABLE OFFENCES

previous year. It is important to emphasise that considerable annual variations occur


across the divisions because of the
Armed Robbery and Armed Aggravated Burglary by division 1999
relatively low volumes recorded in
some divisions. Per 1,000 Variation
Offences population on 1998
EASTERN REGION 38 0.06 27%
Carlow/Kildare 5 0.03 0%
The “-” symbol is used in situations Laois/Offaly 2 0.02 100%
Longford/Westmeath 7 0.07 17%
where the difference between two Louth/Meath 24 0.10 33%
statistics is unquantifiable in DUBLIN MET. REGION 166 0.15 17%
Eastern 8 0.04 -27%
percentage terms i.e. none were
DRUG OFFENCES

North Central 25 0.40 79%


recorded in these locations during Northern 23 0.09 35%
South Central 29 0.30 -22%
1998. Southern 24 0.10 -11%
Western 57 0.25 58%
NORTHERN REGION 12 0.04 9%
Cavan/Monaghan 5 0.04 67%
Armed Robbery and Armed Aggravated Burglary Donegal 6 0.05 0%
Offences by Region 1999 Sligo/Leitrim 1 0.01 -50%
SOUTH EASTERN REGION 26 0.06 136%
Tipperary 14 0.10 367%
Dublin Metropolitan Region
Waterford/Kilkenny 10 0.06 100%
TRAFFIC OFFENCES

57%
Eastern Wexford/Wicklow 2 0.01 -33%
Region SOUTHERN REGION 34 0.05 62%
13% Cork City 13 0.07 18%
Cork North 2 0.02 -33%
Cork West 1 0.01 –
Kerry 0 0.00 -100%
Limerick 18 0.11 260%
WESTERN REGION 14 0.03 133%
Clare 1 0.01 -50%
Galway West 13 0.09 225%
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Northern Western Mayo 0 0.00 0%


Region South Eastern Southern Region Roscommon/Galway East 0 0.00 0%
4% Region Region 5% TOTALS 290 0.08 31%
9% 12%

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INDICTABLE OFFENCES
AN GARDA SÍOCHÁNA ANNUAL REPORT 1999

Armed robberies and armed aggravated burglaries at financial


Armed robberies & armed
institutions 1995aggravated burglaries
to 1999 (Jan-Sept at
Incl.)

INDICTABLE OFFENCES
The chart on the left shows

ANALYSIS OF
60 armed robberies and armed
1995 aggravated burglaries at
50 financial institutions from
1996
43
1995 to 1999(January to
1997 September inclusive).
40 37
1998
31 1999 (Jan-Sept)
30 27
27

JUVENILE OFFENCES
24

20 17
18
14
12
10 10 10
10 9
5 5
2 1
1 0
0 Post Offices Building
Banks Credit
Societies

NON-INDICTABLE OFFENCES
Unions

ROBBERY AND AGGRAVATED BURGLARY


ROBÁIL AGUS MÓRBHUIRGLÉIREACHT
So far, the analysis of robberies and aggravated burglaries has been confined to those
situations where firearms were used. During 1999 there were 1,655 robberies and 693

DRUG OFFENCES
aggravated burglaries recorded (where weapons other than firearms were used) resulting in
a decrease of 10% and an increase of 6% respectively over those recorded in the previous
year.

The number of robberies and aggravated burglaries where syringes were used in the course
of these offences from 1995 to 1999 (January to September inclusive) are shown in the
table below.
TRAFFIC OFFENCES

Robberies and aggravated burglaries where syringes were used 1995 to 1999 (Jan-Sept. incl.)

ROBBERY AGGRAVATED BURGLARY


Recorded Detected % Detected Recorded Detected % Detected Total
1995 274 92 34% 179 67 37% 453
1996 687 267 39% 417 217 52% 1,104
1997 590 194 33% 303 145 48% 893
1998 318 103 32% 124 68 55% 442
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

1999* 198 92 46% 100 53 53% 298


* January to September inclusive

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INDICTABLE OFFENCES

AN GARDA SÍOCHÁNA ANNUAL REPORT 1999

Comparing the use of firearms and syringes in the course of robberies and aggravated
burglaries over the same five year period gives some indication of the extent to which the
INDICTABLE OFFENCES

modi operandi (methods employed) have changed. As the chart below shows, syringes
ANALYSIS OF

accounted for 46% of the total shown in 1995 while they accounted for 67% of the total in
1998 and 51% in the 1999 January to September period.

Robberies and Aggravated Burglaries where firearms and syringes were used 1995 to 1999 (Jan-Sept incl.)

1,600
481
JUVENILE OFFENCES

1,400

1,200

1,104 252
1,000
542
893
800

600 221
NON-INDICTABLE OFFENCES

290
400 453 442

298
200

0
1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 (Jan-Sept)

Firearms Syringes

The number of robbery & aggravated burglary offences recorded per 1,000 population in
DRUG OFFENCES

each of the regions is shown in the chart below. Outside the Dublin Metropolitan Region
where the rate is 1.74 per 1,000 population the rate varies from 0.07 in the Northern
Region to 0.22 in the Eastern Region.

The variation over the previous year was quite different from one region to another.
Decreases of 10% and 24% were recorded in the Dublin Metropolitan and Northern
Regions. Increases ranged between 11% in the Eastern Region and 93% in the South
Eastern Region.
TRAFFIC OFFENCES
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

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INDICTABLE OFFENCES
AN GARDA SÍOCHÁNA ANNUAL REPORT 1999

Robbery and Aggravated Burglary per 1,000


of population, 1999

INDICTABLE OFFENCES
ANALYSIS OF
Eastern 0.22

Dublin Met.
1.74
Region

0.07
Northern

0.18
South Eastern

Southern 0.23

JUVENILE OFFENCES
Western 0.12

State 0.65

0.00 0.50 1.00 1.50 2.00 2.50

Robbery and Aggravated

NON-INDICTABLE OFFENCES
Burglary by division 1999

Per 1,000 Variation


Offences population on 1998
EASTERN REGION 137 0.22 11%
Carlow/Kildare 57 0.33 16%
Laois/Offaly 19 0.17 73%
Longford/Westmeath 7 0.07 -72%
Louth/Meath 54 0.24 41%
DUBLIN MET. REGION 1,888 1.74 -10%
Eastern 158 0.73 -20%
North Central 359 5.69 -23%
Northern 246 0.98 -7%

DRUG OFFENCES
South Central 449 4.59 -18%
Southern 360 1.57 -5%
Western 316 1.40 10%
NORTHERN REGION 22 0.07 -24%
Cavan/Monaghan 7 0.06 17%
Donegal 10 0.08 -41%
Sligo/Leitrim 5 0.07 -17%
SOUTH EASTERN REGION 81 0.18 93%
Tipperary 19 0.14 73%
Waterford/Kilkenny 46 0.29 109%
Wexford/Wicklow 16 0.11 78%
SOUTHERN REGION 168 0.23 16%
TRAFFIC OFFENCES

Cork City 84 0.42 -1%


Cork North 8 0.07 14%
Cork West 5 0.04 -17%
Kerry 8 0.06 33%
Limerick 63 0.38 54%
WESTERN REGION 52 0.12 30%
Clare 11 0.12 83%
Galway West 30 0.21 15%
Mayo 5 0.04 0%
Roscommon/Galway East 6 0.07 100%
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

TOTALS 2,348 0.65 -6%

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INDICTABLE OFFENCES

AN GARDA SÍOCHÁNA ANNUAL REPORT 1999

BURGLARIES
BUIRGLÉIREACHTAÍ
INDICTABLE OFFENCES

Burglaries accounted for approximately 28% of the indictable offences which were
recorded in 1999. The number of Burglaries recorded in 1999 decreased by 2,668(10%)
ANALYSIS OF

over those recorded in the previous year. The term “house burglaries” is used to describe
those burglaries which occur in dwellings (houses, apartments, mobile homes, hostels, etc.)
and the chart below shows the numbers recorded from 1995 to 1999 (January to
September inclusive).

Burglaries 1995 to 1999 (Jan-Sept incl.)


JUVENILE OFFENCES

21000

19000
House
18,506

17,672

17000 Other
16,970

15,840

15000
NON-INDICTABLE OFFENCES

13000
12,063
12,487

11000
10,533

10,282
9,890

9000
7,114

7000
1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 (Jan-Sept)

A more detailed breakdown of house and other burglaries is shown in the table featuring
DRUG OFFENCES

total and city area figures for 1995 to 1999 (January to September inclusive). (City areas
refer to Cork, Galway, Limerick, Waterford and Dublin.)

Burglaries 1995 to 1999 (Jan-Sept incl.)

STATE HOUSE OTHER TOTAL BURGLARIES


TRAFFIC OFFENCES

1995 18,506 -1% 12,487 -12% 30,993 -5%


1996 17,672 -5% 12,063 -3% 29,735 -4%
1997 16,970 -4% 10,533 -13% 27,503 -8%
1998 15,840 -7% 9,890 -6% 25,730 -6%
1999* 10,282 ---- 7,114 ---- 17,396 ----
CITIES
1995 13,470 -2% 6,564 -12% 20,034 -5%
1996 13,181 -2% 6,446 -2% 19,627 -2%
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

1997 11,947 -9% 5,571 -14% 17,518 -11%


1998 10,785 -10% 4,981 -11% 15,766 -10%
1999* 6,631 ---- 3,467 ---- 10,098 ----
* January to September inclusive

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INDICTABLE OFFENCES
AN GARDA SÍOCHÁNA ANNUAL REPORT 1999

The number of burglaries recorded per 1,000 population in each of the regions is shown in
the chart below. The rate varies from 3.23 in the Western Region to 9.66 in the Dublin
Metropolitan Region. In contrast with aggravated burglaries and robberies, burglaries
account for a broadly similar proportion of the total indictable offences recorded in each of

INDICTABLE OFFENCES
the regions. Although the 10% decrease in the total volume recorded in 1999 was

ANALYSIS OF
significant, there were increases in two of the regions. The Northern and South Eastern
Regions increased by 3% and 7%,
respectively. There was almost no Burglaries per 1,000 of population 1999
change in the Western Region (an
increase of five burglaries) while the
remaining regions recorded decreases Eastern 6.44
varying between 5% and 18%. The Dublin Met.
9.66
largest decrease (18%) was recorded Region

JUVENILE OFFENCES
in the Dublin Metropolitan Region Northern 3.78

where the 1999 total was 2,243


South Eastern 5.68
fewer than that recorded in the
previous year. A more detailed Southern 4.77

breakdown of burglaries is provided Western 3.23


in the table below which shows the
State 6.35
divisional volume, incidence and

NON-INDICTABLE OFFENCES
variation over the previous year.
0.00 5.0 10.00 15.00

Burglary by division 1999

Burglary Per 1,000 Variation


population on 1998
EASTERN REGION 3,962 6.4 -5%
Carlow/Kildare 1,163 6.8 -11%
Laois/Offaly 477 4.3 12%
Longford/Westmeath 597 5.9 -2%
Louth/Meath 1,725 7.4 -7%
DUBLIN MET. REGION 10,461 9.7 -18%

DRUG OFFENCES
Eastern 1,927 8.9 -20%
North Central 1,272 20.2 -9%
Northern 1,632 6.5 -26%
South Central 1,712 17.5 -29%
Southern 1,995 8.7 -16%
Western 1,923 8.5 2%
NORTHERN REGION 1,190 3.8 3%
Cavan/Monaghan 380 3.4 -13%
Donegal 442 3.4 25%
Sligo/Leitrim 368 5.0 3%
SOUTH EASTERN REGION 2,567 5.7 7%
Tipperary 487 3.5 -7%
TRAFFIC OFFENCES

Waterford/Kilkenny 1,119 7.0 19%


Wexford/Wicklow 961 6.3 3%
SOUTHERN REGION 3,429 4.8 -11%
Cork City 1,412 7.1 -11%
Cork North 444 3.9 8%
Cork West 345 3.0 -5%
Kerry 356 2.9 -13%
Limerick 872 5.3 -19%
WESTERN REGION 1,433 3.2 0%
Clare 246 2.7 -25%
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Galway West 661 4.6 14%


Mayo 269 2.3 5%
Roscommon/Galway East 257 2.8 -2%
TOTALS 23,042 6.4 -10%

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INDICTABLE OFFENCES

AN GARDA SÍOCHÁNA ANNUAL REPORT 1999

LARCENIES FROM SHOPS AND UNATTENDED VEHICLES


GADAÍOCHT Ó SHIOPAÍ AGUS Ó FHEITHICLÍ AONAIR
Larcenies account for more than half of all Larcenies from Shops and Unattended Vehicles
INDICTABLE OFFENCES

indictable offences recorded. Taken together per 1,000 population 1999


ANALYSIS OF

larcenies from shops and unattended vehicles


account for about 20% of all indictable offences Eastern
1.8
recorded in 1999. The chart on the right shows 1.1
7.3
these two offences per 1,000 population. While Dublin Met. 7.8
Region 3.8
the rate per 1,000 population provides a useful
0.8
insight into the incidence of these larcenies it
Northern 0.6
should be noted that the density of shops and Larceny from
1.3 Shops
vehicles is not the same in all divisions. South Eastern 1.7
Larceny from
1.7 Unattended
Larceny from shops decreased by 9% and all
JUVENILE OFFENCES

Southern 1.8 Vehicles


regions recorded decreases which varied from 5% 0.9
in the Dublin Metropolitan Region to 24% in the Western
0.8
Northern Region. The Eastern, South Eastern, 3.2
State
Southern and Western Regions recorded decreases 2.0
of 20%, 9%, 10% and 16%, respectively. 0.0 2.0 4.0 6.0 8.0

Larcenies from unattended vehicles decreased by 7% in 1999 although increases of 21% and 4%
were recorded in the Northern and South Eastern Regions. There was almost no change in the
NON-INDICTABLE OFFENCES

Eastern Region while the Dublin Metropolitan, Western and Southern Regions recorded decreases
of 5%, 10% and 27%, respectively.

Larcenies from Shops and Unattended Vehicles 1999

Per 1,000 Variation Unattended Per 1,000 Variation


Shops population on 1998 Vehicles population on 1998
EASTERN REGION 662 1.1 -20% 1,103 1.8 0
Carlow/Kildare 147 0.9 -6% 328 1.9 -7%
Laois/Offaly 101 0.9 -30% 110 1.0 18%
Longford/Westmeath 179 1.8 -11% 189 1.9 22%
Louth/Meath 235 1.0 -29% 476 2.0 -4%
DUBLIN MET. REGION 4,095 3.8 -5% 7.953 7.3 -5%
DRUG OFFENCES

Eastern 398 1.8 -12% 1,098 5.1 14%


North Central 2,046 32.4 5% 1,528 24.2 -13%
Northern 396 1.6 6% 882 3.5 -17%
South Central 726 7.4 -13% 2,129 21.8 -6%
Southern 326 1.4 -31% 1,118 4.9 5%
Western 203 0.9 -13% 1,198 5.3 -7%
NORTHERN REGION 173 0.6 -24% 247 0.8 21%
Cavan/Monaghan 64 0.6 25% 68 0.6 26%
Donegal 57 0.4 -11% 69 0.5 -8%
Sligo/Leitrim 52 0.7 -54% 110 1.5 47%
SOUTH EASTERN REGION 788 1.7 -9% 576 1.3 4%
TRAFFIC OFFENCES

Tipperary 99 0.7 -31% 82 0.6 -15%


Waterford/Kilkenny 523 3.3 -9% 192 1.2 -11%
Wexford/Wicklow 166 1.1 12% 302 2.0 25%
SOUTHERN REGION 1,272 1.8 -10% 1,233 1.7 -27%
Cork City 699 3.5 -13% 528 2.7 -26%
Cork North 79 0.7 -31% 72 0.6 -48%
Cork West 72 0.6 29% 83 0.7 -33%
Kerry 145 1.2 -4% 156 1.3 -23%
Limerick 277 1.7 -6% 394 2.4 -24%
WESTERN REGION 365 0.8 -16% 388 0.9 -10%
Clare 61 0.7 -36% 96 1.0 -17%
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Galway West 157 1.1 -29% 169 1.2 -3%


Mayo 96 0.8 41% 74 0.6 -8%
Roscommon/Galway East 51 0.6 6% 49 0.5 -16%
TOTALS 7,355 2.0 -9% 11,500 3.2 -7%

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INDICTABLE OFFENCES
AN GARDA SÍOCHÁNA ANNUAL REPORT 1999

VALUE OF PROPERTY STOLEN AND RECOVERED


IN BURGLARIES, ROBBERIES AND LARCENIES
LUACH MAOINE A GOIDEACH AGUS A

INDICTABLE OFFENCES
FUAIREACH AR AIS I MBUIRGLÉIREACHT,

ANALYSIS OF
ROBÁLAITHE AGUS GADAÍOCHT
The table below shows the number of burglaries, robberies and larcenies where property
was stolen and the value of the property stolen for 1998 and 1999 (January to September
inclusive.)

JUVENILE OFFENCES
Value of property stolen and recovered in burglaries, robberies and larcenies 1998 and 1999 (Jan-Sept Incl.)

Burglaries & Robberies Larcenies


1999* 1998 1999* 1998
Less than £10 (Less than €13) 299 519 1,354 2,018

NON-INDICTABLE OFFENCES
£10 < £50 (€13 and < €63) 1,575 2,301 5,235 7,542
£50 < £100 (€63 and < €127) 1,472 2,166 4,402 6,160
£100 < £200 (€127 and < €254) 2,194 3,177 5,669 7,569
£200 < £300 (€254 and < €381) 1,680 2,516 3,582 4,998
£300 < £400 (€381 and < €508) 1,242 1,930 2,127 2,824
£400 < £500 (€508 and < €635) 954 1,395 1,312 1,781
£500 < £1000 (€635 and < €1270) 2,696 3,970 3,070 4,053
£1000 < £5000 (€1270 and < €6349) 3,531 4,934 2,911 3,747
£5000 and over (€6349 and over) 651 910 472 654
Total where property was stolen 16,294 23,818 30,134 41,346

DRUG OFFENCES
Total where no property was stolen 3,070 4,622 199 320

1999* 1998
Value of property stolen (above) £42,473,109 £47,055,981
(€53,929,724) (€59,748,771)
Value of property recovered (above) £3,914,959 £3,376,124
(€4,970,973) (€4,286,793)
Proportion recovered 9.22% 7.17%
TRAFFIC OFFENCES

* January to September inclusive


ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

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INDICTABLE OFFENCES

AN GARDA SÍOCHÁNA ANNUAL REPORT 1999

INDICTABLE OFFENCES WHERE


TOURISTS ARE INJURED PARTIES
CIONTA IONCHÚISITHE NUAIR IS IAD NA
INDICTABLE OFFENCES
ANALYSIS OF

TURASÓIRÍ NA DAOINE ATÁ GORTHAITHE


JUVENILE OFFENCES

The chart on the right shows Indictable Offences where injured parties are tourists 1995 to 1999 (Jan-Sept incl.)
the volume of indictable
offences recorded where the 5,000
injured parties are tourists for
1995 to 1999 (January to 4,024
NON-INDICTABLE OFFENCES

September inclusive). These 4,000 3,629 3,651


offences account for 3,429
approximately 4% of the total
3,000
indictable offences recorded
2,463
during the first nine months of
the year. Details of these 2,000
offences for 1998 and 1999
(January to September
inclusive) are shown in the 1,000
DRUG OFFENCES

table below.

0
1995 1996 1997 1998 1999
(Jan-Sept)

Indictable offences where injured parties are tourists 1998 and 1999 (Jan-Sept incl.)
TRAFFIC OFFENCES

State Dublin Metropolitan Region

1999* 1998 1999* 1998


Indictable Offences Recorded Detected Recorded Detected Recorded Detected Recorded Detected
Group 1 - Offences against the person 12 9 22 18 4 3 10 6
Group 2 - Burglary, robbery, etc. 294 95 365 135 224 78 284 112
Group 3 - Larceny, forgery ,etc. 2,155 603 3,042 642 1,955 563 2,758 572
Group 4 - Other 2 2 0 0 2 2 0 0
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Total 2,463 709 3,429 795 2,185 646 3,052 690


Proportion Detected 28.79% 23.18% 29.57% 22.61%

*January to September inclusive

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AN GARDA SÍOCHÁNA ANNUAL REPORT 1999

INDICTABLE OFFENCES
GARDA JUVENILE DIVERSION PROGRAMME
CLÁR ATHSTIÚRTHA D’ÓGÁNAIGH AN GHARDA
The Garda Juvenile Diversion Programme was introduced in 1963 to provide an

ANALYSIS OF INDICTABLE
opportunity to divert juvenile offenders from criminal activity. The Programme provides
that if certain criteria are met a juvenile offender may be cautioned as an alternative to

OFFENCES
prosecution. The Programme operates on the basis of the common law principle of police
discretion.

The Programme operates under the supervision and direction of the Garda National
Juvenile Office. It is implemented throughout all Garda divisions by specially trained
Gardaí, who are employed as Juvenile Liaison Officers (J.L.Os). Juveniles cautioned under

JUVENILE OFFENCES
the Programme may be subject to supervision by a J.L.O. Supervision involves a wide
range of activities including contact between the juvenile, the family and the J.L.O. It may
occur at the juvenile’s home, school, youth club, sports club, on the street etc. If a J.L.O.
identifies a problem affecting the juvenile or the family which he/she is unable to deal
with, the J.L.O. refers the family to the appropriate statutory or voluntary organisation with
expertise in the matter.

In 1999, some 7,844 juvenile offenders were included in the Programme, a decrease of
almost 2% from 1998. This brings the number included since inception in 1963, to a total
of 110,611 offenders. Of the total number included in the programme 83% were male

NON-INDICTABLE OFFENCES
offenders and 17% were female. Since inception, almost 98,201 juvenile offenders, 89%
of the total involved, reached their 18th year of age without being prosecuted for a
criminal offence. In recent years, the age limit for inclusion in the Programme was
increased from 17 to 18 years of age.

Details of the disposal of juvenile referrals received at the National Juvenile Office during
1999 are shown, on a regional basis, in the following table. Since some juvenile offenders
were referred on more than one occasion during the year the number of referrals is greater
than the number of individual offenders. There were a total of 14,948 referrals made
during 1999.

DRUG OFFENCES
Disposal of 1999 referrals

Prosecuted Prosecuted on Formal Informal No Pending Total


initially N.J.O. direction caution caution further
REGION action
Male Female Male Female Male Female Male Female
EASTERN Referrals 84 9 303 29 213 30 700 186 131 555 2,240
Individual offenders 68 8 228 25 190 29 658 180 125 518 2,029
DUBLIN MET. Referrals 865 63 1,081 134 277 48 1,732 458 359 1,188 6,205
Individual offenders 535 46 877 117 243 46 1,572 442 350 1,120 5,348
TRAFFIC OFFENCES

NORTHERN Referrals 21 3 88 19 129 22 352 44 51 267 996


Individual offenders 18 3 75 12 116 19 341 44 51 249 928
SOUTH EASTERN Referrals 101 4 265 26 223 28 575 201 66 424 1,913
Individual offenders 67 3 182 17 194 27 519 196 63 377 1,645
SOUTHERN Referrals 78 13 450 85 175 23 603 188 152 475 2,242
Individual offenders 65 8 325 72 165 22 574 184 151 453 2,019
WESTERN Referrals 38 3 186 18 177 30 402 108 80 310 1,352
Individual offenders 27 3 126 12 150 27 386 106 78 288 1,203
TOTAL Referrals 1,187 95 2,373 311 1,194 181 4,364 1,185 839 3,219 14,948
Individual offenders 780 71 1,813 255 1,058 170 4,050 1,152 818 3,005 13,172
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

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AN GARDA SÍOCHÁNA ANNUAL REPORT 1999
INDICTABLE OFFENCES

Juvenile offenders who are admitted to the Programme may be cautioned in one of two
ways: cautions are described as formal or informal. An informal caution is used where
the criminal act committed by the juvenile offender is of a minor nature. The caution is
ANALYSIS OF INDICTABLE

administered by the local J.L.O. and it is normally given at the offender’s home and in
OFFENCES

the presence of parents or guardians. Where the criminal activity is of a more serious
nature, a formal caution is administered by the local District Officer (Superintendent). It
takes place at the Garda Station and in the presence of parents or guardians.

In all cases where a caution is administered the juvenile offender is advised of the
implications of further criminal behaviour and may be placed under the supervision of a
J.L.O.
JUVENILE OFFENCES

The table below shows the number of cautions by division which were administered in
respect of referrals made to the National Juvenile Office during 1999.

Details of cautions by region (1999 referrals)

Formal Informal Total cautions


Referrals Individual Referrals Individual Referrals Individual
NON-INDICTABLE OFFENCES

offenders offenders offenders


EASTERN REGION 243 219 886 838 1,129 1,057
Carlow/Kildare 36 35 339 314 375 349
Laois/Offaly 72 68 282 264 354 332
Longford/Westmeath 83 67 142 137 225 204
Louth/Meath 52 49 123 123 175 172
DUBLIN MET. REGION 325 289 2,190 2,014 2,515 2,303
Eastern 45 41 247 236 292 277
North Central 19 16 310 292 329 308
Northern 58 53 643 579 701 632
South Central 53 48 262 251 315 299
Southern 110 101 288 273 398 374
Western 40 30 440 383 480 314
DRUG OFFENCES

NORTHERN REGION 151 135 396 385 547 520


Cavan/Monaghan 40 37 150 142 190 179
Donegal 92 82 204 201 296 283
Sligo/Leitrim 19 16 42 42 61 58
SOUTH EASTERN REGION 251 221 776 715 1,027 936
Tipperary 86 79 72 71 158 150
Waterford/Kilkenny 97 86 557 500 654 586
Wexford/Wicklow 68 56 147 144 215 200
SOUTHERN REGION 198 187 791 758 989 945
Cork City 46 42 399 377 445 419
Cork North 40 39 93 91 133 130
Cork West 14 13 108 102 122 115
TRAFFIC OFFENCES

Kerry 11 11 46 46 57 57
Limerick 87 82 145 142 232 224
WESTERN REGION 207 177 510 492 717 669
Clare 57 49 123 114 180 163
Galway West 54 41 126 123 180 164
Mayo 43 37 165 162 208 199
Roscommon/Galway East 53 50 96 93 149 143
TOTAL 1,375 1,228 5,549 5,202 6,924 6,430
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

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AN GARDA SÍOCHÁNA ANNUAL REPORT 1999

INDICTABLE OFFENCES
In addition to the 6,430 individuals referred to the National Juvenile Office in 1999 and
dealt with by way of caution during the year, a further 1,414 individuals were cautioned in
relation to referrals which were pending at 1/1/’99. This gives a combined total of 7,844

ANALYSIS OF INDICTABLE
individuals cautioned during 1999, a decrease of 145 from 1998. The chart below

OFFENCES
compares the number of individuals cautioned over the past five years.

Number of individuals cautioned 1995 to 1999

12,000
10,539

JUVENILE OFFENCES
10,000
7,541 8,583 7,989 7,844
8,000

6,000

4,000

2,000

0
1995 1996 1997 1998 1999
YEAR

NON-INDICTABLE OFFENCES
The number of juvenile offenders, per thousand of population, who were cautioned during
1999 is shown in the chart below. This provides some indication of the rate at which
cautions are administered in each of the regions. The highest rate of cautions, which is
8.12 cautions per thousand of population is found in the Dublin Metropolitan Region
(down from 8.41 in 1998). In the remainder of the regions the rate varies from 7.20
cautions per thousand in the South Eastern Region to 4.91 cautions per thousand in the
Southern Region.

Juvenile offenders cautioned per 1,000 of population

DRUG OFFENCES
(Based on population aged 19 years and under)

Eastern 6.04

Dublin Met. 8.12


Region

Northern 6.21
TRAFFIC OFFENCES

South Eastern 7.20

Southern 4.91

Western 5.88
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

0.00 2.00 4.00 6.00 8.00 10.00

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AN GARDA SÍOCHÁNA ANNUAL REPORT 1999
INDICTABLE OFFENCES

The following table shows the number of prosecutions which were instituted in respect of
referrals made during 1999. Prosecutions take place where juvenile offenders do not meet
the requirements for inclusion in the Programme e.g. in some cases juvenile offenders may
ANALYSIS OF INDICTABLE

be prosecuted on an initial basis because they have been prosecuted previously or because
of the serious nature of the offence involved.
OFFENCES

Details of prosecutions by region


(1999 referrals)

Prosecuted Prosecuted on Total


initially direction prosecuted
Referrals Individual Referrals Individual Referrals Individual
offenders offenders offenders
JUVENILE OFFENCES

EASTERN REGION 93 76 332 253 425 329


Carlow/Kildare 17 13 84 64 101 77
Laois/Offaly 42 34 132 91 174 125
Longford/Westmeath 24 21 69 62 93 83
Louth/Meath 10 8 47 36 57 44
DUBLIN MET. REGION 928 581 1,215 994 2,143 1,575
Eastern 52 45 101 81 153 126
North Central 215 138 216 178 431 316
Northern 156 98 311 247 467 345
South Central 158 95 196 154 354 249
Southern 148 105 170 151 318 256
NON-INDICTABLE OFFENCES

Western 199 100 221 183 420 283


NORTHERN REGION 24 21 107 87 131 108
Cavan/Monaghan 14 11 69 55 83 66
Donegal 8 8 28 25 36 33
Sligo/Leitrim 2 2 10 7 12 9
SOUTH EASTERN REGION 105 70 291 199 396 269
Tipperary 12 12 56 45 68 57
Waterford/Kilkenny 71 43 143 88 214 131
Wexford/Wicklow 22 15 92 66 114 81
SOUTHERN REGION 91 73 535 397 626 470
Cork City 37 31 241 157 278 188
Cork North 7 7 52 44 59 51
Cork West 4 4 38 34 42 38
DRUG OFFENCES

Kerry 30 19 84 59 114 78
Limerick 13 12 120 103 133 115
WESTERN REGION 41 30 204 138 245 168
Clare 12 11 64 42 76 53
Galway West 19 11 61 42 80 53
Mayo 4 4 47 30 51 34
Roscommon/Galway East 6 4 32 24 38 28
TOTAL 1,282 851 2,684 2,068 3,966 2,919

J.L.Os meet and co-operate with parents, teachers, probation officers, social workers and
TRAFFIC OFFENCES

welfare officers. They also deal with personnel involved in child guidance clinics, public
health clinics and the courts. The maintenance of such contacts ensure that the J.L.Os are
in a better position to assist juvenile offenders and their families and to guide the young
offender away from a life of crime. They take an active interest in youth and other clubs
operating in the community. J.L.Os give talks in schools and to many other organizations
on a wide range of topics which are relevant to young people.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

During 1999, J.L.Os made 3,063 visits to juvenile offenders who were under intensive
supervision and a further 11,570 visits were made to those under regular supervision. In
addition, more than 5,653 visits were made to schools and clubs. Details of these
activities are shown on a regional basis in the table below.

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AN GARDA SÍOCHÁNA ANNUAL REPORT 1999

INDICTABLE OFFENCES
Activities of juvenile liasion officers

ANALYSIS OF INDICTABLE
Dublin South
Eastern Met. Northern Eastern Southern Western Total
Region Region Region Region Region Region

OFFENCES
Clubs Visits to 189 1,118 189 160 575 77 2,308
Talks given 65 153 22 23 79 22 364
Schools * Visits to 407 1,954 106 407 352 119 3,345
Talks given 152 571 86 197 139 63 1,208
Adult groups-talks given 37 193 50 93 70 65 508
Meetings attended 364 2,189 209 375 1,182 282 4,601
Visits to supervisees

JUVENILE OFFENCES
Under intensive supervision 305 1,121 116 800 482 239 3,063
Under regular supervision 1,426 4,563 534 1,017 3,009 1,021 11,570
* Excluding Schools Programme

Some 23% of the juvenile offenders referred to the National Juvenile Office during 1999
were aged 16 years with a further 22% aged 15 years. Almost 18% were aged 17 years,
15% aged 14 years, and 22% were under 14 years. The chart below shows the number of
juvenile offenders referred, during 1999, where exact age details are available.

NON-INDICTABLE OFFENCES
Age of juvenile offenders

4,000

3,500

3,000

2,500

DRUG OFFENCES
2,000

1,500

1,000

500

0 17 16 15 14 13 12 11 10 Under
TRAFFIC OFFENCES

Yrs Yrs Yrs Yrs Yrs Yrs Yrs Yrs 10 yrs

The times at which the criminal activity took place is known in 13,294 cases and they are
shown in the chart below. The majority of the activity (69%) occurred fairly evenly across
the hours from 2pm to midnight, with activity at its highest between 8pm and 10pm, and
at its lowest between 6am and 8am. A further 20% of criminal activity occurred from
midnight to 8am and the remaining 11% took place between 8am and 2pm.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

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AN GARDA SÍOCHÁNA ANNUAL REPORT 1999
INDICTABLE OFFENCES

Juvenile criminal activity:


Time of occurence
ANALYSIS OF INDICTABLE

TIME

22.01 to 24.00
OFFENCES

20.01 to 22.00

18.01 to 20.00

16.01 to 18.00

14.01 to 16.00

12.01 to 14.00
JUVENILE OFFENCES

10.01 to 12.00

08.01 to 10.00

06.01 to 08.00

04.01 to 06.00

02.01 to 04.00

00.01 to 02.00
NON-INDICTABLE OFFENCES

0 500 1,000 1,500 2,000 2,500

OFFENCES INVOLVING JUVENILE OFFENDERS


CIONTA LE ÓGCHIONTÓIRÍ
In general, adult and juvenile offenders commit similar criminal offences. (Certain
offences, such as under-age drinking, may only be committed by juvenile offenders.) The
chart below shows the principal offences (indictable and non-indictable) in respect of
which referrals were made in 1999. Taken together, larcenies, criminal damage, and
DRUG OFFENCES

burglaries comprise
Principal offences in respect of which slightly less than half of
referrals were made in 1999 the total offences
involved.
Larceny 21%
Criminal
Damage Two tables are used to
14% show the offences in
respect of which
TRAFFIC OFFENCES

juvenile referrals were


made. A selection of
offence types are
shown in detail in the
second table: for
example, the total of
Burglary 8% 732 ‘other traffic
Other 31% offences’ shown in the
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Public Drink
Order Vehicle Offences
first table are described
7% Offences 10% in detail in the second
9%
one (see breakdown 1).

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AN GARDA SÍOCHÁNA ANNUAL REPORT 1999

INDICTABLE OFFENCES
The total number of offences in respect of which referrals were made decreased by 57
when compared to 1998. There was an increase of 180 referrals (5.3%) for larcenies in
1999 over the previous year. Referrals for burglaries decreased significantly for the

ANALYSIS OF INDICTABLE
second year running, decreasing by 12.1% (158 referrals) from 1998,and decreasing
overall by 597 referrals (34%) when comparing 1997 and 1999.

OFFENCES
Vehicle offences relating to unauthorized taking, unlawful interference and
unauthorized carriage increased by 2% over the previous year, although the rate of
increase has slowed significantly when compared with the 8.4% in 1998. Other traffic
offences also increased by 9.9% in 1999, although the rate of increase slowed
significantly from 29.3% recorded in 1998.

JUVENILE OFFENCES
Referrals in relation to drink related offences increased by 6.4% when compared to
1998. The number of referrals in relation to intoxication in a public place continued to
increase with an overall increase of 20.6% when compared to 1998. Referrals relating
to the purchase/possession and consumption of alcohol decreased by 31 (4.5%) in
1999. Referrals for serious assaults decreased by 2%. There were 3 referrals for murder
during 1999 which was an increase of one over the previous year.

Summary of offences in respect of which juvenile offenders were referred

NON-INDICTABLE OFFENCES
No. %
Larcenies 3,184 21.3%
Burglary 1,147 7.7%
Criminal damage 2,070 13.8%
Vehicle offences (Unauthorised taking, carriage, interference) 1,389 9.3%
Other traffic offences (see breakdown 1) 732 4.9%
Handling stolen property 322 2.2%
Drink related offences (see breakdown 2) 1,461 9.8%
Public order (see breakdown 3) 1,040 7.0%
Possession of offensive weapons etc. 193 1.3%
Drugs (Possession) 463 3.1%

DRUG OFFENCES
Breach of bail 87 0.6%
Robbery (incl.demanding money with menaces) 109 0.7%
Possession of articles with intent 96 0.6%
Assault 842 5.6%
Serious assault (see breakdown 4) 261 1.7%
Fraud related offences (see breakdown 5) 137 0.9%
Begging 120 0.8%
Sexual offences (see breakdown 6) 109 0.7%
Casual trading offences 12 0.1%
Assault Garda/Peace Officer 19 0.1%
TRAFFIC OFFENCES

Trespass/found on enclosed premises 529 3.5%


Railway acts (trespass line, stone throwing, non-payment of fare) 83 0.6%
Drugs (Sale/Supply) 114 0.8%
Street and house to house collections 8 0.1%
Firearms related offences 100 0.7%
Public mischief (incl. hoax telephone calls) 116 0.8%
False imprisonment/child stealing 4 0.0%
Aggravated burglary 17 0.1%
Arson 88 0.6%
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Cruelty to animals 5 0.0%


Miscellaneous 91 0.6%

TOTAL 14,948

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AN GARDA SÍOCHÁNA ANNUAL REPORT 1999
INDICTABLE OFFENCES

This table provides a breakdown of a selection of offences which are summarised in six
groups in the following table.

Selected offences in respect of which juvenile referrals were made

(1) Other traffic offences No.


ANALYSIS OF INDICTABLE

Insurance offences 359


Pedal cycle offences 80
OFFENCES

Dangerous driving 88
Careless driving 24
Public Transport (PSV) offences 3
Drunk driving offences 31
No driving licence 52
Hit and run traffic accident 15
No helmet/seatbelt 11
JUVENILE OFFENCES

Speeding 0
No road tax 1
Miscellaneous 68
Total 732
(2) Drink related offences
Purchase/possession/consumption of alcohol 662
Intoxication in public place 760
Drunk and disorderly/danger to traffic 13
Simple drunkenness 10
Found on licensed premises 14
NON-INDICTABLE OFFENCES

Miscellaneous 2
Total 1,461
(3) Public order offences
Affray 0
Riot 2
Urinate in public 6
Disorderly conduct in public 84
Threatening behaviour etc. 569
Failure to comply with Garda direction/Obstruction 329
Willful obstruction 13
Violent disorder 9
DRUG OFFENCES

Other 28
Total 1,040
(4) Serious Assault
Murder 3
Assault occasioning serious bodily harm 24
Assault occasioning bodily harm 228
Assault with intent 6
Total 261
(5)Fraud related offences
TRAFFIC OFFENCES

Forgery/uttering/fraud 91
False pretences 24
Embezzlement 22
Total 137
(6) Sexual offences
Aggravated sexual assault 0
Sexual Assault 68
Indecency 10
Rape/unlawful carnal knowledge (including attempt) 26
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Loitering for purpose of prostitution 1


Soliciting for purpose of prostitution 0
Other 4
Total 109

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AN GARDA SÍOCHÁNA ANNUAL REPORT 1999

INDICTABLE OFFENCES
The chart below shows the number of referrals for the principal offences in the six regions.
Larceny is the principal offence in all the regions but is particularly prevalent in the Dublin
Metropolitan Region accounting for 1,287 referrals. Vehicle and public order offences are
also more prevalent in the Dublin Metropolitan Region accounting for 924 and 616

ANALYSIS OF INDICTABLE
referrals respectively. This compares to a total of 465 and 424 referrals for the other five
regions.

OFFENCES
Principal offences - Comparison by region

1400

1200

JUVENILE OFFENCES
1000

800

600

400

200

NON-INDICTABLE OFFENCES
0
Larceny Criminal Burglary Public Vehicle Drink
Damage Order Offences Offences

Eastern Dublin Met. Northern S. Eastern Southern Western

The chart below compares the principal offences as a percentage of the total referrals
received at the National Juvenile Office for each of the years from 1995 to 1999. Referrals
for larceny decreased in 1999. Referrals for criminal damage and burglary also decreased,
continuing the downward trend from previous years. Criminal damage accounted for
14.3% of referrals in 1998 and 13.8% in 1999. Burglary accounted for 8.7% of referrals in
1998 and 7.7% in 1999. Public order and drink related offences accounted for 6.5% and

DRUG OFFENCES
9.2% of referrals in 1998, and increased to 7% and 9.8% in 1999.

Comparison of Principal Offences 1995 to 1999

35

30
Percentage of Total Referrals

25
TRAFFIC OFFENCES

20

15

10

5
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

0
Larceny Criminal Burglary Public Vehicle Drink
Damage Order Offences Offences
1994 1995 1996 1997 1998

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INDICTABLE OFFENCES

AN GARDA SÍOCHÁNA ANNUAL REPORT 1999

NON-INDICTABLE OFFENCES
CIONTA CÚISITHE
ANALYSIS OF INDICTABLE

Non-indictable offences in which


proceedings were taken
OFFENCES

(Drug offences excluded)


Non-indictable offences may be 1999 1998
processed to a conclusion in the District
Court, unlike their indictable EASTERN REGION 56,455 63,983
Carlow/Kildare 14,743 15,655
counterparts which may be heard by
Laois/Offaly 9,190 12,926
higher courts. (The distinction between Longford/Westmeath 7,886 8,855
non-indictable and indictable offences is Louth/Meath 24,636 26,547
explained in the introduction to the DUBLIN MET. REGION 195,453 168,900
JUVENILE OFFENCES

crime statistics which is located at NORTHERN REGION 22,820 26,856


beginning of the statistical section of the Cavan/Monaghan 9,641 10,383
Donegal 8,349 10,328
Annual Report.) In a typical year, traffic
Sligo/Leitrim 4,830 6,145
offences account for approximately 60% SOUTH EASTERN REGION 38,840 40,553
of the total recorded. The number of Tipperary 10,846 11,878
proceedings (drug offences excluded) Waterford/Kilkenny 17,432 18,768
which were taken in 1999 are shown by Wexford/Wicklow 10,562 9,907
region in the tableon the right. SOUTHERN REGION 82,616 74,376
NON-INDICTABLE

Cork City 36,398 20,824


Cork North 9,211 9,414
OFENCES

Cork West 8,586 9,450


Kerry 10,612 13,872
Limerick 17,809 20,816
WESTERN REGION 36,512 38,672
Clare 10,923 10,299
Galway West 8,811 8,696
Mayo 7,924 8,442
Roscommon/Galway East 8,854 11,235
TOTAL 432,696 413,340
DRUG OFFENCES

Non-indictable offences by region


The number of non-indictable (Drug offences excluded)
proceedings (drug offences
excluded) commenced in 1999
increased by 5% over those
recorded in the previous year. Dublin
There were increases of 16% in Metropolitan
the Dublin Metropolitan Region 46%
TRAFFIC OFFENCES

and 11% in the Southern Region.


The remaining regions recorded
decreases of 15% in the
Northern, 12% in the Eastern, 6%
in the Western and 4% in the
South Eastern Region.
The proportion of non-indictable
offences taken in each of the Eastern
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

regions is shown in the chart on 13% Northern


South 5%
the right. Western Southern Eastern
8% 19% 9%

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INDICTABLE OFFENCES
AN GARDA SÍOCHÁNA ANNUAL REPORT 1999

The number of non-indictable offences (drug offences excluded) in which proceedings were
taken are shown per 1,000 of population in the chart below. The rate per 1,000 in the Dublin
Metropolitan Region is considerably higher than elsewhere because of the relatively high rate
of traffic offences in that region. When the traffic offences are excluded the rates of non-
indictable offences per 1,000 of population are more consistent across the regions – they range

ANALYSIS OF INDICTABLE
from 39 in the South Eastern Region to 55 in the Dublin Metropolitan Region.

OFFENCES
Non-indictable offences per 1,000 of population (Drugs offences excluded)

Eastern 92

Dublin Met. 181

JUVENILE OFFENCES
Northern 73

S. Eastern 86

Southern 115

Western 82

NON-INDICTABLE
0 20 20 40 40 60 60 80 80 100
100 120120 140140 160160 180180

OFENCES
0 2

Non-indictable offences - proceedings and persons convicted in 1999 (Drug offences excluded)
proceedings were taken

Number of Convictions

proved or order made without


Charges withdrawn or

Persons convicted or against


Offences in which

without convicton

whom charges was held


Charges proved
& order made

Adjourned or

disposed of
dismissed

otherwise

conviction

2 3 4 5 6 7

DRUG OFFENCES
1. (a) ASSAULTS 8,664 1,497 4,837 584 1,746 5421
(b) ,, (Gardai on duty) 807 81 506 48 172 554
2. CRUELTY TO ANIMALS
(a) Badger baiting 10 1 8 1 0 9
(b) Cock fighting 0 0 0 0 0 0
(c) Dog fighting 7 0 7 0 0 7
(d) Other offences 463 67 299 23 74 322
3. TRAFFIC ACTS, OFFENCES AGAINST:
(a) Lighting Reg. - Pedal Cycles: 1,717 833 707 91 86 798
(b) ,, Mpv’s 5,617 1,221 3,458 626 312 4,084
(c) Not wearing seat belt 12,654 2,237 7,431 807 2,179 8,238
TRAFFIC OFFENCES

(d) Not wearing crash helmet. Motor cyclist. 1,391 163 943 206 79 1,149
(e) Licences - Driving 44,300 17,585 19,849 2,760 4,106 22,609
(f) Obstruction 1,661 400 1,033 78 150 1,111
(g) Dangerous Parking 364 89 229 8 38 237
(h) Road Traffic General Bye Laws, 1964 5,272 2,362 2,435 228 247 2,663
(i) Local Bye Laws 44,394 17,969 11,614 319 14,492 11,933
(j) (i) Dangerous Driving 3,865 747 2,454 143 521 2,597
(ii) Careless Driving 5,137 1,579 2929 137 492 3,066
(iii) Driving without reasonable consideration 3,960 1,342 2,267 135 216 2,402
(iv) Traffic lights: Non conformity with 5,152 2,612 1904 123 513 2,027
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

(k) Compulsory Insurance:(i) No Insurance 32,420 11,527 17,056 864 2,973 17,920
(ii) Failing to produce 30,715 11,541 12,766 3,253 3,155 16,019
(iii) Insurance Disc Regulations 5,531 1,423 2823 351 934 3,174

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INDICTABLE OFFENCES

AN GARDA SÍOCHÁNA ANNUAL REPORT 1999

Non-indictable offences - proceedings and persons convicted in 1999


(Drug offences excluded) <contd>

proved or order made without


proceedings were taken

Number of Convictions

Persons convicted or against


Charges withdrawn or

whom charges was held


Offences in which

without convicton
Charges proved
& order made

Adjourned or

disposed of
dismissed

otherwise

conviction
ANALYSIS OF INDICTABLE
OFFENCES

(iv) Other Offences 2,977 482 1,505 377 613 1,882


(l)DRINKING AND DRIVING:
(i) Drive/attempt to drive M.P.V. while drunk 837 185 478 0 174 478
(ii) Being in charge of M.P.V. while drunk 287 24 167 0 96 167
(iii) Driving /Attempting to drive an M.P.V. Blood/urine
/alcohol concentration above prescribed limit. 6,775 515 4,424 0 1,835 4424
(iv) Driving/Attempting to drive an M.P.V. breath/alcohol
concentration above prescribed limit 287 10 168 0 109 168
(v) Being in charge of M.P.V. blood/urine/alcohol
concentration above prescribed limit 141 58 20 0 63 20
JUVENILE OFFENCES

(vi) Being in charge of MPV breath/alcohol


concentration above prescribed limit 28 1 21 0 6 21
(vii) Refusing to give preliminary specimen of breath (alcolyser) 83 14 51 0 18 51
(viii) Refusing/Failing to give evidental breath sample {Sec. 49(4), 50(4)} 70 0 43 0 27 43
(ix) Refusing to provide or permit taking
of blood/urine specimen at Garda Stations. 215 56 457 0 202 457
(x) Reusing to provide or permit taking of
blood/urine specimen at hospital 47 7 24 0 9 24
(xi) Other offences 53 9 35 0 9 35
NON-INDICTABLE

(m) Exceeding speed limit: (i) Built-up area 13,714 883 6,010 207 6,614 6,217
(ii) Special 1,581 312 1,190 51 28 1,241
(iii) Ordinary 6,377 304 1,040 23 5,010 1,063
OFENCES

(iv) General 7,215 826 4,879 138 1,372 5,017


(v) Motorway 1,218 108 1,022 47 41 1,069
(n) Driving dangerously defective M.P.V. 282 39 197 12 34 209
(o) Other offences 7,243 2,396 3,549 664 634 4,213
(p) Construction equipment and use of veh regs 1963
(i) defective tyres 4,165 769 2,793 270 333 3063
(ii) defective steering 476 56 369 34 17 403
(iii) defective brakes 381 64 261 32 24 293
(iv) Gross weights of goods vehicles 689 134 486 48 21 534
(v) Axle weights of goods vehicles 71 10 48 0 13 48
(vi) Other Offences 4,722 1,460 2,482 523 257 3,005
DRUG OFFENCES

TRAFFIC ACTS OFFENCES SUB TOTAL. 264,577 82,353 121,617 12,555 48,052 134,172
4. (a) Taking M.P.V. without authority 3,199 192 2,003 353 651 2,356
(b) Unauthorised interference with mechanism of MPV 1,431 84 921 93 333 1,014
(c) Taking possession of pedal cycle without consent 48 8 32 2 6 34
5. EU Regulations: (i) Vehicle Testing 3,118 901 1,714 340 163 2,054
(ii) Tachograph 1,901 395 1,249 152 105 1,401
6. Road Transport Acts 3,698 917 2278 246 257 2,524
7. Roads Act and Finance Acts - Excise Duty 79,323 30,042 34,588 5,272 9,421 39,860
8. INTOXICATING LIQUOR LAWS, OFFENCES AGAINST
(a) Illegally on Licensed Premises during closing hours 5,173 545 4,132 216 280 4,348
(b) Drunkeness, Simple 1,190 171 784 149 86 933
TRAFFIC OFFENCES

(c) Drunkeness with aggravation 781 163 467 59 92 526


(d) Offences by Licensed persons against closing regs 4,743 2,102 2,170 250 221 2,420
(e) Other offences by Licensed persons (or their servants) 338 70 212 34 22 246
(f) Supplying or selling drink to persons under 18 years
(i) Offences by the holders of On-Licences 120 21 62 3 34 65
(ii) ,, ,, ,, ,, Off-Licences 12 4 5 0 3 5
(g) Purchase of intoxicating liquor by persons under 18yrs 33 5 9 0 19 9
(h) Consumption of intoxicating liquor by persons under
18 years in any place other than private residence 189 22 60 0 98 69
(i) Persons under 18 years representing themselves to be
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

over 18 years for the purpose of obtaining or being


permitted to consume intoxicating liquor 3 1 2 0 0 2
(j) Licenced holders permitting persons under 18 years to
be on licenced premises during period when
exemption order is in force. 19 16 2 0 1 2

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INDICTABLE OFFENCES
AN GARDA SÍOCHÁNA ANNUAL REPORT 1999

Non-indictable offences - proceedings and persons convicted in 1999


(Drug offences excluded) <contd>

proceedings were taken

Number of Convictions

Persons convicted or against

proved or order made with-


Charges withdrawn or

whom charges was held


Offences in which

without convicton
Charges proved
& order made

Adjourned or

out conviction
disposed of
dismissed

otherwise

ANALYSIS OF INDICTABLE
OFFENCES
(k) Persons under 18 years illegally on licenced premises
during period when exemption order is in force 1 0 1 0 0 1
(l) Licenced holders permitting person under 18 years
(unaccompanied) to be on premises used
for the sale of intoxicating liquor for
consumption off the premises. 21 6 5 0 10 5
(m) Offences in connection with Registered Clubs 38 3 24 2 9 26
(n) Other offences against Intoxicating Liquor laws 411 65 278 18 50 296
INTOXICATING LIQUOR LAWS SUB TOTAL. 13,072 3,194 8,213 740 925 8,953

JUVENILE OFFENCES
9. Criminal Damage 3,439 267 2,152 245 775 2,397
10. POLICE REGULATIONS, OFFENCES AGAINST
(a) Dublin Metropolitan Police Acts 182 27 112 18 25 130
(b) Summary Jurisdiction (Ireland) Act 1851 331 126 125 53 27 178
11. CRIMINAL LAW SEXUAL OFFENCES ACT 1993.
Soliciting or Importuning for commission of sexual
offences - Section 6. 6 3 0 0 3 0
Soliciting or Importuning for prostitution Section 7. 357 14 172 7 164 179
Loitering with intention of prostitution Section 8. 112 3 70 1 38 71

NON-INDICTABLE
Living on earnings of prostitution Section 10. 3 1 0 0 2 0
Other Offences. 29 4 1 0 24 1

OFENCES
12. CRIMINAL JUSTICE (PUBLIC ORDER) ACT 1994.
Intoxication in a public place - Section 4 11,009 1,425 7,245 973 1,366 8,218
Disorderly conduct in Public place Section 5. 2,445 276 1,651 226 292 1,877
Threatening or Abusive or Insulting Behaviour Sec 6. 11,140 1,596 6,871 990 1,683 7,861
Failing to comlpy with direction of Garda - Section 8 3,948 477 2,566 314 591 2,880
Entering building with intent to commit offence - Section 11 966 112 588 87 179 675
Control of Access to Special Events Section 21. 5 3 2 0 0 2
Surrender and seizure of Intoxicating Liquor Section 22. 46 18 17 2 9 19
Other Offences. 1,434 222 898 113 201 1011
13. Revenue Laws, Offences against 383 140 185 42 16 227

DRUG OFFENCES
14. Street Trading Acts - Offences against 360 85 153 24 98 177
15. VAGRANCY ACTS - OFFENCES AGAINST:
(a) Begging 557 50 318 49 140 367
(b) Other Offences 34 0 29 4 1 33
16. Wireless Telegraphy Act,1926-Offences against 50 2 34 0 14 34
17. Firearms Acts - Offences against 247 20 145 19 63 164
18. FIREARMS and OFFENSIVE WEAPONS ACT, 1990.
(a) Possession of knives and other articles - Section 9 (1) 925 88 625 39 173 664
(b) Possession of flick-knife etc - Section 9 (4) 85 15 55 1 14 56
(c) Possession of article with intent to cause injury - Sec. 9 (5) 243 25 157 12 49 169
TRAFFIC OFFENCES

(d) Trespassing with knife/weapon - Section 10 25 2 15 1 7 16


(e) Production of weapon in dispute - Section 11 195 21 124 2 48 126
(f) Manufacture/sell/hire offensive weapon - Section 12 9 2 0 0 7 0
(g) Other offences 104 6 69 8 21 77
19. EXPLOSIVES - Offences in relation to 15 0 5 0 10 5
20. JURIES ACT, 1976 - Offences against 103 37 40 23 3 63
21. GAMING and LOTTERIES ACT 1956 27 1 16 0 10 16
22. PROHIBITION of INCITEMENT to HATRED ACT, 1989
(a) Actions likely to stir up hatred - Section 2. 0 0 0 0 0 0
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

(b) Preparation/possession of material likely to stir up hatred. S4 0 0 0 0 0 0


23. Other non-indictable offences 13,546 2,407 7,586 1,219 2,334 8,805
TOTAL 432,678 127,288 210,491 24,925 70,307 235,416

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INDICTABLE OFFENCES

AN GARDA SÍOCHÁNA ANNUAL REPORT 1999

A range of selected non-indictable offences are shown for each of the regions in the table
below. The largest volumes of many of the selected offences were recorded in the Dublin
Metropolitan Region. In keeping with the previous year, the highest number of prosecutions per
ANALYSIS OF INDICTABLE

1,000 of population for assaults were recorded in the Northern Region. Public order offences
OFFENCES

and firearms & offensive weapons offences taken per 1,000 of population were each highest in
the Dublin Metropolitan Region while the number of intoxicating liquor offences was the low-
est by far in that region. Per head of population the highest number of prosecutions for intoxi-
cating liquor offences were taken in the Northern and Western Regions. Offences under the
Criminal Law (Sexual Offences) Act, 1993, were almost exclusively the preserve of the Dublin
Metropolitan Region.

Proceedings taken in 1998 in respect of selected non-indicable offences


JUVENILE OFFENCES

Eastern Dubin Met. Northern South Southern Western


Region Region Region Eastern Region Region
Region
TOTAL ASSAULTS (includes Gardaí on duty) 1,598 3,265 1,013 1,077 1,549 970
TOTAL TRAFFIC OFFENCES 29,494 135,855 10,057 21,025 51,753 16,393
TOTAL INTOXICATING LIQUOR OFFENCES 2,815 1,471 1,900 1,456 2,681 2,749
CRIMINAL JUSTICE (PUBLIC ORDER) ACT, 1994
Intoxication in a public place - Section 4 1,422 4,460 979 909 1,987 1,252
Disorderly conduct in public place - Section 5 495 454 350 268 633 245
NON-INDICTABLE

Threat or abusive or insulting behaviour - S.6 1,618 4,990 1,007 727 1,642 1,156
Failing to comply with direction of Garda - S.8 495 2,009 262 291 608 283
OFENCES

Enter building with intent to commit offence - S. 11 79 650 32 37 130 38


Control of access to special events - Section 21 0 4 1 0 0 0
Surrender and seizure of intoxicating liquor - S. 22 29 0 0 6 11 0
Other offences 169 425 109 165 330 236
FIREARMS and OFFENSIVE WEAPONS ACT, 1990.
Possession of knives and other articles - S. 9 (1) 61 595 24 65 119 61
Possession of flick-knife etc. - S. 9 (4) 6 49 0 3 17 10
Poss. of article with intent to cause injury - S.9 (5) 11 131 11 14 44 32
Trespassing with knife/weapon - S. 10 5 10 1 4 5 0
Production of weapon in dispute - S. 11 11 86 15 22 36 25
Manufacture/sell/hire offensive weapon - S. 12 0 6 0 0 0 3
DRUG OFFENCES

Other offences 59 22 9 3 4 7
CRIMINAL LAW (SEXUAL OFFENCES) ACT, 1993.
Soliciting or importuning for sexual offences - S. 6 0 6 0 0 0 0
Soliciting or importuning for prostitution - S. 7 0 357 0 0 0 0
Loitering with intention of prostitution - S. 8 0 112 0 0 0 0
Living on earnings of prostitution - S. 10 0 3 0 0 0 0
Other offences 7 13 5 0 1 3
TRAFFIC OFFENCES
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

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INDICTABLE OFFENCES
AN GARDA SÍOCHÁNA ANNUAL REPORT 1999

DRUG OFFENCES
CIONTA DRUGAÍ

INDICTABLE OFFENCES
The table below shows the number of offences where proceedings commenced by drug

ANALYSIS OF
type and division. As in previous years, almost all (96%) of the heroin offences were
recorded in the Dublin Metropolitan Region. Equal proportions (29%) of the three
offences involving cannabis were recorded in the Dublin Metropolitan and the Southern
Regions. The Western and Eastern Regions recorded 14% and 13% of these offences
respectively.

Slightly more than one third (36%) of the offences involving ecstasy were recorded in the
Southern Region while the Dublin Metropolitan and Eastern Regions recorded 21% and

JUVENILE OFFENCES
20% respectively.

Misuse of Drugs Act (as amended)


Offences where proceedings commenced by division and drug type

Cannabis Cannabis

NON-INDICTABLE OFFENCES
Cannabis Resin Plants Heroin LSD Ecstasy Amphet. Cocaine Other TOTAL
EASTERN REGION 95 445 3 19 3 200 83 9 17 874
Carlow/Kildare 49 175 0 3 0 62 24 1 5 319
Laois/Offaly 3 43 1 6 1 39 23 4 0 120
Longford/Westmeath 6 112 0 8 0 18 18 1 11 174
Louth/Meath 37 115 2 2 2 81 18 3 1 261
DUBLIN MET. REGION 464 737 7 852 2 211 70 126 250 2719
Eastern 35 202 1 16 0 17 15 15 22 323
North Central 108 30 0 126 0 30 3 13 49 359
Northern 207 137 5 247 0 61 27 25 105 814
South Central 12 87 0 191 0 35 1 38 39 403
Southern 13 228 1 127 2 26 22 10 22 451

DRUG OFFENCES
Western 89 53 0 145 0 42 2 25 13 369
NORTHERN REGION 76 100 11 0 1 60 16 4 7 275
Cavan/Monaghan 26 20 9 0 0 11 11 3 2 82
Donegal 31 42 0 0 1 31 2 0 3 110
Sligo/Leitrim 19 38 2 0 0 18 3 1 2 83
SOUTH EASTERN REGION 85 351 1 1 11 81 92 6 24 652
Tipperary 47 19 1 0 2 10 20 0 3 102
Waterford/Kilkenny 10 222 0 0 6 39 53 2 17 349
Wexford/Wicklow 28 110 0 1 3 32 19 4 4 201
SOUTHERN REGION 73 1147 7 12 5 368 108 10 40 1770
Cork City 2 708 1 7 0 259 36 5 0 1018
Cork North 26 62 2 0 0 11 14 0 3 118
Cork West 32 29 2 0 3 4 0 3 8 81
TRAFFIC OFFENCES

Kerry 9 151 0 1 0 39 39 0 10 249


Limerick 4 197 2 4 2 55 19 2 19 304
WESTERN REGION 76 501 6 3 4 103 95 14 45 847
Clare 11 92 1 0 0 13 23 0 5 145
Galway West 47 356 5 3 4 84 56 14 40 609
Mayo 5 31 0 0 0 6 4 0 0 46
Roscommon/Galway East 13 22 0 0 0 0 12 0 0 47
TOTAL 869 3281 35 887 26 1023 464 169 383 7137
PERCENTAGE 12.18% 45.97% 0.49% 12.43% 0.36% 14.33% 6.50% 2.37% 5.37% 100%
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Visit the Garda Website at www.garda.ie 100


INDICTABLE OFFENCES

AN GARDA SÍOCHÁNA ANNUAL REPORT 1999

The quantity of drugs seized is shown in the table below and cannabis was involved in 62% of
cases while heroin was involved in 10% of cases. Ecstasy cases accounted for 15% of the total
and cocaine accounted for 3%.
INDICTABLE OFFENCES

Particulars of drugs seized *


ANALYSIS OF

TYPE OF DRUG TOTAL

Quantity Cases
Cannabis 66,048g 188
Cannabis Resin 2,511,296g 4,322
Cannabis Plants 352 28
Heroin (Diamorphine) 16,957g 767
Morphine 55 tabs 8
L.S.D. 577 squares, 4 tabs 29
Ecstasy MDMA 229,091 tabs, 46 caps, 236g 1,063
JUVENILE OFFENCES

Ecstasy MDA 1 tab 1


Amphetamines 13,394g, 12,015 tabs 467
Cocaine 85,554g 213
Diazepam 13,389 tabs 95
Flunitrazepam (Rohypnol) 339 tabs 18
Flurazepan 1,007 caps 40
Temazepam 108 tabs 9
Other Benzodiazepines 530 tabs, 20 caps 13
Methadone 579 tabs, 2,043 mls. 33
NON-INDICTABLE OFFENCES

Dihydrocodeine 137 tabs 8


Ephedrine 9 tabs + 0.29g 10
Methylamphetamine traces 1
Buprenorphine 3 tabs 1
Psilocybin mushrooms 4
*Statistics are subject to revision as all seizures were not analysed at time of going to press

During 1999 proceedings commenced in respect of 7,137 offences (indictable and non-
indictable) and 4,232 convictions were obtained from those proceedings which had been
processed by the end of the year. The majority of the proceedings relate to the supply or pos-
session of controlled drugs. Before examining these two offences in detail some other drug
DRUG OFFENCES

offences of importance are shown in the table below.


Obstruction offences comprised the majority of the miscellaneous drug offences shown in the
table below. The 164 obstruction offences recorded in 1999 is a decrease of 31% over those of
the previous year while the remaining 108 miscellaneous offences showed an increase.
The number of persons prosecuted for drugs offences is shown, by nationality, in the table
below. Approximately 98% of the total were Irish nationals. As in previous years the majority
of non Irish nationals (67 of the 125 recorded) were British.

Nationality of persons against whom Miscellaneous drug offences


proceedings were commenced
TRAFFIC OFFENCES

Irish 5,897 Importation 48


French 3
Forged Prescriptions 39
German 1
Italian 2 Cultivation of Cannabis Plants 14
Dutch 2 Allow Premises to be used 7
Portuguese 2 Obstruction 164
Spanish 9
British 67
East European 17
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

S. American 4
N. American 3
Middle Eastern 2
African 13
Total 6,022

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INDICTABLE OFFENCES
AN GARDA SÍOCHÁNA ANNUAL REPORT 1999

The number of possession, supply, obstruction and other offences are shown in the table
below. Possession offences accounted for 68% of the total while supply offences account-
ed for 28%. The proportion of supply offences varied across the regions. They accounted

INDICTABLE OFFENCES
for 40% in the Dublin Metropolitan Region, 30% in the Eastern Region and 21% in the

ANALYSIS OF
Northern Region while they accounted for 19% to 14% in the remaining regions. In con-
trast, 77% of all obstruction offences were recorded in the Dublin Metropolitan Region.
The 119 other offences deal with offences such as importation, allowing a premesis to be
used, cultivation of cannabis plants and forging a prescription to obtain drugs.

Possession/supply, obstruction and other offences

JUVENILE OFFENCES
Sec 3 MDA* Sec 15 MDA* Sec 21 MDA* Other Total
(Possession (Supplier/ MDA*
only) dealer) (Obstruction) Offences

EASTERN REGION 616 258 0 0 874


Carlow/Kildare 234 85 0 0 319
Laois/Offaly 90 30 0 0 120

NON-INDICTABLE OFFENCES
Longford/Westmeath 107 67 0 0 174
Louth/Meath 185 76 0 0 261
DUBLIN MET. REGION 1,437 1,097 127 58 2,719
Eastern 259 56 3 5 323
North Central 144 174 32 9 359
Northern 438 279 65 32 814
South Central 189 187 24 3 403
Southern 283 158 3 7 451
Western 124 243 0 2 369

DRUG OFFENCES
NORTHERN REGION 215 56 0 4 271
Cavan/Monaghan 61 20 0 1 82
Donegal 89 20 0 1 110
Sligo/Leitrim 65 16 0 2 83
SOUTH EASTERN REGION 534 103 11 4 637
Tipperary 83 17 2 0 102
Waterford/Kilkenny 273 67 8 1 349
Wexford/Wicklow 178 19 1 3 201
SOUTHERN REGION 1,394 341 14 21 1,770
Cork City 845 173 0 0 1,018
TRAFFIC OFFENCES

Cork North 80 35 3 0 118


Cork West 71 7 0 3 81
Kerry 184 55 3 7 249
Limerick 214 71 8 11 304
WESTERN REGION 687 116 12 32 803
Clare 121 19 2 3 145
Galway West 497 73 10 29 609
Mayo 30 16 0 0 46
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Roscommon/Galway East 39 8 0 0 47
TOTAL 4,883 1,971 164 119 7,137
PERCENTAGE 68% 28% 2% 2% 100%
* Misuse of Drugs Act, 1977 (as amended)

Visit the Garda Website at www.garda.ie 102


INDICTABLE OFFENCES

AN GARDA SÍOCHÁNA ANNUAL REPORT 1999

The table below shows the number of persons against whom proceedings for (all) drug
offences were commenced by age and gender. Approximately 4% of persons were less
than 17 years of age, 38% were aged 17 to 21 years while the remaining 58% were
INDICTABLE OFFENCES

aged over 21 years. The majority (91%) of persons were male. This was similar to the
ANALYSIS OF

previous two years but a considerable change over 1997 when male persons accounted
for 78% of those who were prosecuted. The proportions of female persons in the three
age groups were 8%, 9% and 9% respectively.

Persons prosecuted for drugs offences by age and gender

Under 17 yrs 17-21 yrs Over 21 yrs Total Total


M F M F M F M F persons
JUVENILE OFFENCES

EASTERN REGION 26 2 335 18 323 16 684 36 720


Carlow/Kildare 10 0 133 4 114 6 257 10 267
Laois/Offaly 7 1 50 1 54 5 111 7 118
Longford/Westmeath 2 0 47 2 48 0 97 2 99
Louth/Meath 7 1 105 11 107 5 219 17 236
DUBLIN MET. REGION 127 13 680 119 1,207 196 2,014 328 2,342
Eastern 21 0 161 7 121 8 303 15 318
North Central 10 2 54 18 173 30 237 50 287
Northern 63 7 221 37 273 42 557 86 643
NON-INDICTABLE OFFENCES

South Central 10 1 70 23 209 37 289 61 350


Southern 16 3 85 17 243 53 344 73 417
Western 7 0 89 17 188 26 284 43 327
NORTHERN REGION 3 1 110 3 116 7 229 11 240
Cavan/Monaghan 0 0 19 0 40 2 59 2 61
Donegal 1 1 67 2 37 1 105 4 109
Sligo/Leitrim 2 0 24 1 39 4 65 5 70
SOUTH EASTERN REGION 19 0 240 12 292 8 551 20 571
Tipperary 2 0 39 6 45 2 86 8 94
Waterford/Kilkenny 15 0 94 5 159 5 268 10 278
Wexford/Wicklow 2 0 107 1 88 1 197 2 199
SOUTHERN REGION 26 0 526 27 796 48 1,348 75 1,423
DRUG OFFENCES

Cork City 0 0 283 14 461 18 744 32 776


Cork North 10 0 46 1 54 5 110 6 116
Cork West 5 0 18 2 45 5 68 7 75
Kerry 7 0 101 6 113 7 221 13 234
Limerick 4 0 78 4 123 13 205 17 222
WESTERN REGION 13 2 170 31 471 39 654 72 726
Clare 0 0 24 4 98 6 122 10 132
Galway West 6 1 121 20 337 31 464 52 516
Mayo 1 0 4 0 30 1 35 1 36
Roscommon/Galway East 6 1 21 7 6 1 33 9 42
TOTAL 214 18 2,061 210 3,205 314 5,480 542 6,022
PERCENTAGE 3.85% 37.71% 58.44%
TRAFFIC OFFENCES

The total number of persons prosecuted in 1999 was 1% higher than that recorded in
the previous year. In 1999 the number of persons prosecuted in the Dublin
Metropolitan Region accounted for 39% of the State total. The number of persons pros-
ecuted in the Dublin Metropolitan Region decreased by 26% over the previous year.
Increases were recorded in the remaining regions and they varied from 116% in the
Western Region to 6% in the Southern Region.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

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INDICTABLE OFFENCES
AN GARDA SÍOCHÁNA ANNUAL REPORT 1999

Persons prosecuted for drug offences


per 100,000 of population

The chart on the right shows the

INDICTABLE OFFENCES
numbers of persons prosecuted per

ANALYSIS OF
100,000 of population in each of the Eastern 117

regions. The highest incidence was in


Dublin Met. 216
the Dublin Metropolitan Region at 216
and the Southern Region recorded the Northern 76
second highest rate at 198 per 100,000
South Eastern 126
of population. The remaining regions
recorded rates between 76 and 164 per Southern 198
100,00 of population.

JUVENILE OFFENCES
Western 164

State 166

0 100 200 300 400

Drug lectures by division


Number

NON-INDICTABLE OFFENCES
EASTERN REGION 408
Carlow/Kildare 20
A total of 1,900 drug lectures were
Laois/Offaly 104
Longford/Westmeath 147
given by Gardaí during 1999 and
Louth/Meath 137
they are shown by location in the
DUBLIN MET. REGION 243 table on the left. The total number
Eastern 46 of lectures given was 13% less
North Central 52 than that in 1998 but those given
Northern 30 in the South Eastern and Western
South Central 38 Regions increased by 9% and 24%

DRUG OFFENCES
Southern 54 respectively.
Western 23
NORTHERN REGION 258
Cavan/Monaghan 80
Donegal 92
Sligo/Leitrim 86
SOUTH EASTERN REGION 475
Tipperary 140
Waterford/Kilkenny 221
Wexford/Wicklow 114
TRAFFIC OFFENCES

SOUTHERN REGION 335


Cork City 65
Cork North 63
Cork West 19
Kerry 143
Limerick 45
WESTERN REGION 181
Clare 28
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Galway West 75
Mayo 30
Roscommon/Galway East 48
TOTAL 1,900

Visit the Garda Website at www.garda.ie 104


INDICTABLE OFFENCES

AN GARDA SÍOCHÁNA ANNUAL REPORT 1999

STOLEN VEHICLES
FEITHICLÍ GOIDTE
INDICTABLE OFFENCES

The legal distinction between the larceny of a vehicle and the unauthorized taking of
ANALYSIS OF

a vehicle is carried into the statistics. The distinction arises from the intention of the
person who commits the offence. In common with all larcenies, the larceny (stealing)
of a vehicle requires an intention that the owner should be permanently deprived of
possession. This requirement is clearly not fulfilled where, for example, a person takes
a car, drives it for some hours and then abandons it by the roadside. In this case the
offence committed is unauthorized taking of a mechanically propelled vehicle (mpv)
as opposed to larceny. Unauthorized takings generally outnumber larcenies of
vehicles by a factor of about seven or eight to one.
JUVENILE OFFENCES

The following chart shows the number of unauthorized takings and larcenies of
vehicles for the 15 years from 1985 to 1999. The number of unauthorized takings
recorded in 1999 was an increase of 8% over the previous year. There were 791
larcenies of mechanically propelled vehicles recorded in 1999 from January to
September.
NON-INDICTABLE OFFENCES

Because the number of unauthorised takings recorded varies considerably from region
to region it is useful to examine them in terms of the number of vehicles in the
various regions. The chart below shows unauthorised takings as a proportion of the
vehicles taxed (using most recent Department of Environment figures) in each of the
regions. The figures should be interpreted with some caution as full account is not
taken of differences between Garda and local authority administrative areas. That
said, the chart provides a useful insight into the extent of the regional variation.

Unauthorised taking and larceny of mechanically


DRUG OFFENCES

propelled vehicles 1985 to 1999

20,000

18,000
Unauthorised taking Larceny
16,000
14,851
14,844
TRAFFIC OFFENCES

14,289

14,000
13,793
13,405

13,589
13,244
12,182

12,072
11,570

11,754
12,039

12,000
11,478

11,273
10,915

10,000

8,000

6,000
2,129

2,450

4,000
2,136
2,092

1,780
1,546

1,775

1,507

1,350

1,661

1,787

1,499
1,523

1,500
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

2,000

0
85 86 87 88 89 90 91 92 93 94 95 96 97 98 99

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INDICTABLE OFFENCES
AN GARDA SÍOCHÁNA ANNUAL REPORT 1999

Unauthorised takings per 1,000 vehicles licensed*

INDICTABLE OFFENCES
30

ANALYSIS OF
26
25

20

15

JUVENILE OFFENCES
10

6 4
4
5
2 2

0 Eastern Dublin Met. Northern S/Eastern Southern Western


Region Region Region Region Region Region

NON-INDICTABLE OFFENCES
(* Figures are not adjusted for differences between local authority and Garda areas)

The table on the right shows the Unauthorised takings by region


1998 and 1999
number of unauthorised takings in
1998 1999 Change
each of the regions. There was an 8%
increase in the total number of Eastern Region 1,469 1,536 5%
unauthorised takings over that Dublin Met. Region 9,529 10,572 11%
recorded in 1998. The Dublin Northern Region 201 200 0%
Metropolitian and South Eastern S/Eastern Region 465 511 10%
regions showed increases of 11% and

DRUG OFFENCES
Southern Region 1,355 1,234 -9%
10% other regions varied from 3% to
5%. The Southern was the only region Western Region 774 798 3%
to show a reduction, down 9% when TOTAL 13,793 14,851 8%
compaired to 1998. The Northern
region remained unchanged.
Mechanically propelled vehicles taken and recovered 1999
(Proportions for 1998 in brackets)
TRAFFIC OFFENCES

Some 15% of vehicles taken were


not recovered by the end of the
year which is a decrease when
compared with the recovery rate
of 11% recorded during the
previous year. The chart on the
left shows the proportion
recovered in 1999 and the
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

comparable proportions for the


previous year are shown in Recovered Not recovered by
brackets. 85% end of year 15%
(89%) (11%)

Visit the Garda Website at www.garda.ie 106


INDICTABLE OFFENCES

AN GARDA SÍOCHÁNA ANNUAL REPORT 1999

For the first nine months of 1999 (Jan-Sept incl.) a total of 791 vehicles were recorded as
larcenies. Cars comprised of three quarters of the stolen vehicles recorded in 1999
(Jan-Sept incl.) and they had an average value of £3,514. Motorcycles, with an average value
INDICTABLE OFFENCES

of £1,555, comprised 17% of the vehicles recorded as stolen (Jan-Sept incl.).


ANALYSIS OF

During 1999, the Stolen Motor Vehicle Investigation Unit processed 650 inquiries, examined
in excess of 2,000 vehicles and it identified 176 vehicles bearing false plates. A number of
vehicles which were stolen abroad (29 in Northern Ireland, 44 in the United Kingdom and 4
elsewhere in Europe) were recovered by Gardaí. In addition to this, 22 stolen caravans and
trailers were recovered. As part its role in cooperating with other police forces in the
investigation of international stolen vehicle trafficking, the Stolen Motor Vehicle Investigation
Unit was involved in a range of operations throughout the country.
JUVENILE OFFENCES

Vehicles stolen and


recovered 1999 (Jan-Sept incl.
Stolen Recovered
Number Value Number Value
Cars 591 £2,076,776 Cars 30 £110,570
€2,636,962 €140,395
Motor Cycles 137 £213,075 Motor Cycles 5 £9,100
€270,549 €11,555
NON-INDICTABLE OFFENCES

Lorries 8 £93,255 Lorries 0 £0


€118,409 €0
Other vehicles 55 £410,260 Other vehicles 2 £8,000
€520,923 €10,158
TOTAL 791 £2,793,366 TOTAL 37 £127,670
€3,546,843 €162,107

FINES ON THE SPOT


FINEÁIL AR AN SPOTA
Fines on the spot notices are issued by GardaÌ (non display of licence disc i.e. no tax
DRUG OFFENCES

displayed, illegal parking and speeding offences) and Traffic Wardens (non display of licence
disc and illegal parking). The number of notices issued by the GardaÌ in 1999 for non display
of tax disc and parking violations increased by 11,661 (103%) and 4,213 (8%), respectively,
when compared with the previous year. Those issued by Traffic Wardens decreased by 15%
and 48% respectively. The number of fine on the spot notices for speeding offences issued
by GardaÌ is shown in the last of the three tables below. The 178,009 fines on the spot
issued in 1999 show a 35% increase over the number recorded in the previous year.
TRAFFIC OFFENCES

Fines on the spot issued

NON-DISPLAY OF LICENCE DISC

Eastern Dublin Northern South Southern Western State State


Region Met. Region Eastern Region Region Total Total
Region Region 1999 1998
Gardaí 2,930 5,337 2,651 3,356 5,801 2,947 23,022 11,358
Wardens 0 21,292 0 0 0 0 21,292 25,005
TOTAL ISSUED 2,930 26,629 2,651 3,356 5,801 2,947 44,314 36,363
Fines paid 2,034 7,798 1,701 1,748 2,229 1,547 17,057 9,099
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Court proceedings 250 6,970 172 544 1,095 403 9,434 9,780
Notices cancelled 110 3,774 110 194 706 253 5,147 5,273
Proceedings pending 506 4,558 664 856 1,711 737 9,032 9,797
Spoiled notices 30 0 4 14 60 7 115 57

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INDICTABLE OFFENCES
AN GARDA SÍOCHÁNA ANNUAL REPORT 1999

Fines on the spot issued

PARKING VIOLATIONS
Eastern Dublin Northern South Southern Western State State
Region Met. Region Eastern Region Region Total Total
Region Region 1999 1998

INDICTABLE OFFENCES
Gardaí 3,291 31,983 3,574 4,505 12,086 2,903 58,342 54,129

ANALYSIS OF
Wardens 0 70,569 0 0 0 0 70,569 134,872
TOTAL ISSUED 3,291 102,552 3,574 4,505 12,086 2,903 128,911 189,001
Fines paid 2,269 56,825 2,023 3,110 7,696 1,981 73,904 108,512
Court proceedings 224 12,290 370 288 889 253 14,314 25,565
Notices cancelled 160 4,257 163 198 581 190 5,549 8,134
Proceedings pending 606 12,475 994 869 2,805 450 18,199 26,869
Spoiled notices 32 6,931 24 40 53 29 7,109 8,938

JUVENILE OFFENCES
Fines on the spot issued

SPEEDING OFFENCES
Eastern Dublin Northern South Southern Western State State
Region Met. Region Eastern Region Region Total Total
Region Region 1999 1998
Issued by Gardaí 44,924 34,949 17,186 26,199 37,485 17,266 178,009 131,931
Fines paid 38,739 24,212 12,474 22,207 32,689 14,996 145,317 108,344
Court proceedings 2,579 8,300 605 2,322 2,636 1,257 17,699 6,763

NON-INDICTABLE OFFENCES
Notices cancelled 419 494 67 187 1,006 207 2,380 1,477
Proceedings pending 814 15 316 921 1,092 432 3,590 14,924
Spoiled notices 761 361 11 24 22 19 1,198 192

Speeding Notices Issued per Region

A total of 178,009
speeding notices were Eastern
issued by GardaÌ and 26%
fines were paid in

DRUG OFFENCES
Dublin
respect of 145,317 or Western Metropolitan Reg.
82% of those which 10% 20%

were issued.
Proceedings were
pending in respect of
3,590 notices at the end
of the year.
TRAFFIC OFFENCES

The chart on the right


shows the proportion of
speeding notices which
were issued by GardaÌ
in each of the regions
during 1999. Southern
21% Northern
10%
South Eastern
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

15%

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INDICTABLE OFFENCES

AN GARDA SÍOCHÁNA ANNUAL REPORT 1999

Road traffic offences by division


ROAD TRAFFIC OFFENCES 1999 1998
EASTERN REGION 29,494 33,444
CIONTA TRÁCHTA Carlow/Kildare
Laois/Offaly
7,496
4,467
8,544
6,257
INDICTABLE OFFENCES

Longford/Westmeath 4,057 4,883


ANALYSIS OF

The number of traffic offences in respect of which


Louth/Meath 13,760 13,474
proceedings were taken in 1999 is shown in the
DUBLIN MET. REGION 135,855 113,478
table below. The 264,577 traffic offences
NORTHERN REGION 10,057 11,819
recorded in 1999 represent an increase of 11%
Cavan/Monaghan 4,309 4,334
over that recorded in the previous year. Three of Donegal 3,590 4,647
the regions, Southern (26%),Dublin Metroplitian Sligo/Leitrim 2,158 2,838
(20%) and the Southern Eastern (4%) recorded SOUTH EASTERN REGION 21,025 20,176
increases for traffic offences over 1998. The Tipperary 5,693 5,634
other three regions recorded fewer traffic Waterford/Kilkenny 9,179 9,157
JUVENILE OFFENCES

offences, Northern Region (-15%) Eastern (-12%) Wexford/Wicklow 6,153 5,385


and the Western Region (-9%). The proportions SOUTHERN REGION 51,753 41,213
of traffic offences recorded in each of the regions Cork East 26,057 12,325
is shown in the chart on the right. Cork North 4,621 4,407
Cork West 4,181 4,887
Comparing traffic offences with the number of Kerry 5,696 7,125
vehicles in a location provides some insight into Limerick 11,198 12,469
the rate at which proceedings for traffic offences WESTERN REGION 16,393 18,041
NON-INDICTABLE OFFENCES

take place. The chart below shows the number Clare 5,095 5,162
of traffic offences per 1,000 vehicles which were Galway West 4,166 3,819
Mayo 3,139 3,732
taxed in each of the regions. (Figures are not
Roscommon/Galway East 3,993 5,328
adjusted for differences between local authority
TOTAL 264,577 238,171
and Garda administrative areas). As in 1998 road
traffic offences per 1,000 vehicles in the Dublin metropolitan Region are more than double
those recorded in each of the other regions. The annual rate of offences per 1,000 vehicles
increased in the Dublin Metropolition and Southern regions in 1999 and decreased in the other
four regions when compaired with 1998. (Overall, offences increased by 11% and licensed
vehicles increased by 11% when compared with the previous year.)
DRUG OFFENCES

Road traffic offences per 1,000 vehicles licenced*

Eastern 118

Dublin Met. 334


TRAFFIC OFFENCES

Northern 81

South Eastern 91

Southern 165

Western 88
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

0 50 100 150 200 250 300 350


(* Figures are not adjusted for differences between local authority and Garda areas)

109 Visit the Garda Website at www.garda.ie


INDICTABLE OFFENCES
AN GARDA SÍOCHÁNA ANNUAL REPORT 1999

Road traffic offences by region

Dublin Met.

INDICTABLE OFFENCES
51%

ANALYSIS OF
Northern
4%

JUVENILE OFFENCES
South Eastern
8%
Eastern
11%
Western Southern
6% 20%

DRINK/DRIVING OFFENCES:

NON-INDICTABLE OFFENCES
BREATH, BLOOD AND URINE TESTS
CIONTA DÍ/TIOMÁNA:
SCRÚDAITHE ANÁLA, FOLA AGUS FUALA
The number of arrests for drink /driving offences for each of the last five years is shown in the
chart below. Arrests increased each year and the 9,570 arrests made in 1999 were 64% more
than the number recorded in 1995 and they were 862 higher than the corresponding total for
1998.

DRUG OFFENCES
Arrests for drink/driving offences 1995 to 1999

10000
10,000
9,570
TRAFFIC OFFENCES

8,707
8000
8,000
7,541

6000
6,000
5,843
6,286

4000
4,000

2000
2,000

0
1,000
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

1995 1996 1997 1998 1999

Visit the Garda Website at www.garda.ie 110


INDICTABLE OFFENCES

AN GARDA SÍOCHÁNA ANNUAL REPORT 1999

The number of breath tests, blood/urine and analyses of specimens is shown in the table
below. The number of breath samples provided to the GardaÌ in 1999 increased by 5% when
compared to the corresponding figure for the previous year. Positive breath samples for 1999
INDICTABLE OFFENCES

were almost the same as those recorded in 1998. In 1999, some 35% of the samples
ANALYSIS OF

provided to the GardaÌ tested positive while 37% of those taken in the previous year did so.

Breath samples were provided by 14,533 persons and 144 (1%) refused to provide breath
samples. Some 4,392 persons were arrested without the use of breath tests and this represents
an increase of 25% on the corresponding statistic for the previous year.

There were 8,757 blood/urine specimens provided, during 1999: blood specimens accounted
for the same proportion (62%) of the total provided. In keeping with the previous year,
approximately 90% of the specimens analysed contained a quantity of alcohol which was over
JUVENILE OFFENCES

the prescribed concentration.

Drink and driving offences: breath tests, blood/urine tests, arrests etc.

Eastern Dublin North South South Western 1999 1998


NON-INDICTABLE OFFENCES

Region Met. Region Eastern Region Region Total Total


Region Region
Breath tests
(a) Total no. of persons breathtested 2,919 1,182 3,135 2,254 2,745 2,298 14,533 13,786
(b) Breath test positive 1,208 590 454 927 1,211 644 5,034 5,053
(c) Breath test negative 1,711 592 2,681 1,327 1,534 1,654 9,499 8,733
(d) Breath test refused 26 28 20 25 32 13 144 133

Arrests
a) For refusing breath test 26 28 20 25 32 13 144 133
(b) Arrest without breath test 716 1,649 660 334 367 666 4,392 3,521
DRUG OFFENCES

Blood/Urine tests
(a) Blood specimen given 1,123 1,211 649 769 935 777 5,464 4,926
(b) Urine specimen given 656 851 370 438 545 433 3,293 2,984
(c) Specimen refused 171 205 115 79 130 113 813 797

Analyses of specimens
(a) Under prescribed concentration 88 150 45 72 86 51 492 550
(b) Over prescribed concentration 1,631 1,805 936 1,096 1,316 1,130 7,914 7,114
(c) Specimens still to be analysed
TRAFFIC OFFENCES

at the end of year 46 95 28 29 71 28 297 214


(d) Insufficient or spoiled 14 12 10 10 7 1 54 32
TOTAL SPECIMENS 1,779 2,062 1,019 1,207 1,480 1,210 8,757 7,910
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

111 Visit the Garda Website at www.garda.ie


INDICTABLE OFFENCES
AN GARDA SÍOCHÁNA ANNUAL REPORT 1999

DRINK/DRIVING OFFENCES: PERSONS CONVICTED


CIONTA DÍ/TIOMÁNA: DAOINE CUISITHE

INDICTABLE OFFENCES
ANALYSIS OF
Persons convicted of drink\driving offences 1995 to 1999

The number of persons


convicted of drink driving
offences are shown in the last 7,000
five years is shown in the
table on the right. There has 6,000 5,853
5,756
been an increase in the
number recorded in each of 5,000

JUVENILE OFFENCES
the last five years. The 1999 4,379
total was an increase of 2% 4,000
3,810
3,683
over that of the previous year
3,000
and it represents an increase
of 37% over that recorded in
2,000
1995.
1,000

NON-INDICTABLE OFFENCES
0 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999

The majority of convictions related to the offence of driving or attempting to drive


mechanically propelled vehicles (mpv) with alcohol levels above the prescribed limit.
Relatively small numbers of persons were prosecuted for the offence of being in charge of such
a vehicle while above the limit. (The inclusion of the term "mechanically propelled" means,
among other things, that this particular offence does not apply to persons using pedal cycles or
animal drawn vehicles). The gender of persons convicted for drink driving offences is shown

DRUG OFFENCES
on the chart below.

Gender pf persons convicted of drink driving offences


TRAFFIC OFFENCES

Male
93%

Female 7%
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Visit the Garda Website at www.garda.ie 112


INDICTABLE OFFENCES

AN GARDA SÍOCHÁNA ANNUAL REPORT 1999

The number of persons convicted of drink driving offences is shown in the table below.
During 1999 a total of 5,853 persons were convicted and this was an increase of 97 (2%)
over the previous year. Evidential breath testing was introduced in 1999 and the number
of persons convicted for driving /attempting to drive an MPV breath/alcohol
INDICTABLE OFFENCES

concentration above prescribed limit, being in charge of MPV breath/alcohol


ANALYSIS OF

concentration above prescribed limit and refusing/failing to give evidential breath sample
are listed in the table below. Some 93% of those convicted were male.

Drinking and driving offences:


Age and gender of persons convicted 1999
Persons convicted 17 & under 21 yr 21 yrs & over
JUVENILE OFFENCES

Male Female Male Female Male Female


OFFENCES
Driving or attempting to drive MPV while
drunk or with a blood/urine/alcohol
concentration above the prescribed limit. 4545 357 267 15 4,278 342
Driving or attempting to drive MPV
breath/alcohol concentration
above the prescribed limit. 156 12 5 1 151 11
NON-INDICTABLE OFFENCES

Being in charge of MPV while drunk


or alcohol concentration above
the prescribed limit. 176 11 4 0 172 11
Being in charge of MPV breath/alcohol
concentration above prescribed limit 21 0 4 0 17 0
Refusing/failing to give evidental breath
sample (Sec.49(4), 50(4) 39 4 4 0 35 4
Refusing to provide or permit the
taking of blood/urine specimen
DRUG OFFENCES

at Garda Station. 424 33 23 9 401 24


Refusing to provide or permit the taking
of blood/urine specimen at hospital 20 4 1 2 19 2
Refusing to provide a preliminary
specimen of breath. 49 2 2 1 47 1
TRAFFIC OFFENCES
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

113 Visit the Garda Website at www.garda.ie


INDICTABLE OFFENCES
AN GARDA SÍOCHÁNA ANNUAL REPORT 1999

DOMESTIC VIOLENCE
FORÉIGEAN TEAGHLAIGH
There were 10,110 domestic violence incidents

INDICTABLE OFFENCES
recorded in 1999 which represents an increase of Domestic Violence Complainants and

ANALYSIS OF
20% when compared with the corresponding Offenders by gender
figure for the previous year. Considerable annual Male Female
change was recorded across the regions and, in
keeping with previous years, the volume of
incidents differed from region to region. Offenders 92% 8%

The chart on the right shows the gender of


domestic violence complainants and offenders.

JUVENILE OFFENCES
Complainants 11% 89%
Although the offenders were predominantly male
some 8% of offenders were female. Complainants
were predominantly female and 11% were male.
0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%

Domestic violence 1999

Incidents Arrests Persons Persons Persons

NON-INDICTABLE OFFENCES
charged injured convicted

EASTERN REGION 818 232 214 236 173


Carlow/Kildare 249 56 35 69 27
Laois/Offaly 242 41 53 63 44
Longford/Westmeath 91 19 12 35 37
Louth/Meath 236 116 114 69 65
DUBLIN MET. REGION 6,628 782 618 366 386
Eastern 592 151 90 56 52
North Central 490 97 76 39 32
Northern 1,040 127 113 62 83
South Central 1,079 95 64 15 42

DRUG OFFENCES
Southern 1,842 147 134 132 66
Western 1,585 165 141 62 111
NORTHERN REGION 281 161 132 136 56
Cavan/Monaghan 103 96 96 59 17
Donegal 108 46 19 43 26
Sligo/Leitrim 70 19 17 34 13
SOUTH EASTERN REGION 529 196 163 211 85
Tipperary 92 34 27 39 22
Waterford/Kilkenny 229 93 78 92 29
TRAFFIC OFFENCES

Wexford/Wicklow 208 69 58 80 34
SOUTHERN REGION 1,373 188 235 254 189
Cork City 186 59 55 63 53
Cork North 106 26 26 34 24
Cork West 85 24 20 31 8
Kerry 102 14 69 35 51
Limerick 894 65 65 91 53
WESTERN REGION 481 171 139 131 102
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Clare 164 16 16 32 16
Galway West 133 87 77 24 68
Mayo 121 48 30 56 5
Roscommon/Galway East 63 20 16 19 13
Total 10,110 1,730 1,501 1,334 991

Visit the Garda Website at www.garda.ie 114


INDICTABLE OFFENCES

AN GARDA SÍOCHÁNA ANNUAL REPORT 1999

MISSING PERSONS
DAOINE AR IARRAIDH
The terms ‘acceptable and unacceptable’ are used to distinguish between two categories of
INDICTABLE OFFENCES

missing persons. The term ‘acceptable’ refers to (a) persons under 18 years, (b) aged persons,
ANALYSIS OF

(c) physically or mentally disabled persons, or (d) persons whose disappearance takes place
in circumstances which give rise to fears for the person’s physical or moral safety.

During 1999, the total number of ‘acceptable’ missing persons recorded decreased by 11%
over those recorded in the previous year. Twenty of the 1,800 missing persons recorded in
1999 remained untraced at the end of the year. As in previous years, there is considerable
variation between the numbers recorded in each of the regions. The largest proportion of
‘acceptable’ missing persons were recorded in the Dublin Region resulting in a rate of 119
JUVENILE OFFENCES

persons per hundred thousand of population. In contrast, the rate for the South Eastern
Region was 31 while the remaining regions varied between three and 24 per hundred
thousand of population. Some 691 ‘unacceptable’ missing persons were recorded in 1999
and this was an increase of 54% over the corresponding volume recorded in 1998.

Missing persons

‘Acceptable’ ‘Acceptable’ Persons not


NON-INDICTABLE OFFENCES

persons reported persons ‘acceptable’ Unidentified Unidentified


missing untraced reported persons bodies
missing found found
EASTERN REGION 148 2 58 0 0
Carlow/Kildare 32 1 20 0 0
Laois/Offaly 29 0 16 0 0
Longford/Westmeath 26 0 16 0 0
Louth/Meath 61 1 6 0 0
DUBLIN MET. REGION 1,289 6 363 0 0
Eastern 333 1 58 0 0
North Central 161 0 13 0 0
Northern 326 1 105 0 0
South Central 61 1 5 0 0
DRUG OFFENCES

Southern 195 1 41 0 0
Western 213 2 141 0 0
NORTHERN REGION 8 0 0 0 0
Cavan/Monaghan 6 0 0 0 0
Donegal 2 0 0 0 0
Sligo/Leitrim 0 0 0 0 0
SOUTH EASTERN REGION 142 5 197 0 1
Tipperary 22 0 1 0 0
Waterford/Kilkenny 100 3 193 0 0
Wexford/Wicklow 20 2 3 0 1
TRAFFIC OFFENCES

SOUTHERN REGION 163 5 52 0 1


Cork City 59 0 16 0 1
Cork North 13 1 12 0 0
Cork West 2 3 0 0 0
Kerry 52 0 5 0 0
Limerick 37 1 19 0 0
WESTERN REGION 50 2 21 0 0
Clare 0 0 0 0 0
Galway West 14 1 9 0 0
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Mayo 2 0 3 0 0
Roscommon/Galway East 34 1 9 0 0
TOTAL 1,800 20 691 0 2
Note: ‘Acceptable’ means (a) persons under 18 years, (b) aged persons, (c) physically or mentally disabled persons, or (d) persons whose
dissappearance takes place in circumstances which give rise to fears for the person’s physical or moral safety.

115 Visit the Garda Website at www.garda.ie


INDICTABLE OFFENCES
AN GARDA SÍOCHÁNA ANNUAL REPORT 1999

The number of ‘acceptable’ missing persons recorded in the five year period from 1995 to
1999 are shown in the table below. Some indication of developments over time can be seen
by comparing the numbers shown as missing at the end of the year within which they were
recorded with the number which are recorded as still missing at the end of 1999.

Missing persons 1995 to 1999


1999 1998 1997 1996 1995

INDICTABLE OFFENCES
Acceptable missing persons recorded 1,800 2,015 1,877 1,848 1,658

ANALYSIS OF
Missing at end of year when recorded 20 14 6 8 12
Still missing at end of 1999 20 11 4 8 12

INDICTABLE OFFENCES COMMITTTED


BY PERSONS ON BAIL
CIONTA IONCHÚISITHE DÉANTA AG DAOINE

JUVENILE OFFENCES
FAOI BHANNAÍ
Some 15% of the indictable offences detected from January to September, inclusive, were
committed by persons on bail and this is similar to the situation in 1998. The chart below
shows the number of detected indictable offences committed by persons on bail in the period
1990 to 1999 (January to September inclusive).
For several reasons, a far larger number of criminal offences are likely to have been committed

NON-INDICTABLE OFFENCES
by persons on bail than the figures shown in the chart below. During the period January to
September 1999, the 4,069 indictable offences committed by persons on bail takes no account
of those offenders who committed over 34,600 indictable offences which remained undetected
at the end of that nine month period. Similarly, the figures shown take no account of the non-
indictable offences which were committed by persons on bail.

Detected indictable offences committed by persons on bail 1990 to 1999 (Jan-Sept)

8000

7000 Offences detected 6,956


6,467
5,886

DRUG OFFENCES
6000
5,440
5000 4,069
4,416
4000
3,191
2,791
3000 2,690
2,494

2000

1000
TRAFFIC OFFENCES

0
‘90 ‘91 ‘92 ‘93 ‘94 ‘95 ‘96 ‘97 ‘98 ’99
(Jan-Sept)

The table on the right shows the number of Detected indictable offences committed by
indictable offences detected and committed by persons on bail by offence group (Jan-Sept)
persons on bail during 1999 (January to September). Offences against the person 28
Burglaries and larcenies from unattended vehicles
are the principal indictable offences involved. Offences against property 1,582
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Burglaries accounted for 72% of the 1,582 offences


against property known to have been committed by Larcenies 2,425
persons on bail during that period.
Similarly, larcenies from unattended vehicles Other indictable offences 34
accounted for 36% of the 2,425 larcenies known to TOTAL 4,069
have been committed by persons on bail.
Visit the Garda Website at www.garda.ie 116
INDICTABLE OFFENCES

AN GARDA SÍOCHÁNA ANNUAL REPORT 1999

FIREARMS, AMMUNITION AND EXPLOSIVES


SEIZED BY GARDAÍ
INDICTABLE OFFENCES
ANALYSIS OF

AIRMTHINE, ARMLÓN AGUS ÁBHAIR


PLÉASCAIGH A URGHABHÁIL NA GARDAÍ
There were two important seizures made by Gardaí in 1999. The first relates to the
procurement operation involving the unlawful importation of firearms and ammunition to
various address in the State. The second relates to the discovery of an underground firing
JUVENILE OFFENCES

range at the Naul, Co. Dublin in October 1999.

Details of the firearms, ammunition and explosives that were seized by Gardaí are shown in
the table below.

Firearms, Ammunition and Explosives seized by Gardaí during 1999


NON-INDICTABLE OFFENCES

FIREARMS EXPLOSIVES & COMPONENTS


AK47 Assault Rifle 2 Semtex-H 5.1Kg.
Sub Machine Guns 5 Black Powder 2.6 Kg.
Shotguns 234 Detonating Cord (m) 145
Rifles 93 Sticks Gelignite 8
Pistols 75 Electric Detonators 39
Revolvers 46 Ireco Detonators 3
Air Guns 215 Ordinary detonators 97
Imitation/Replica Firearms 58 Time and Power Units 2
DRUG OFFENCES

Humane Killers 1 Hand grenades 21


Stun Guns 7 Training Camp/Firing Range 1
Crossbows 4 Petrol Bomb 22
Magazines 55 Smoke Grenade 5
Telescopic Sights 21 Rocket Launcher 2
Silencers 11 Mark 16 Mortar 3
Gun Barrels 6 Circuit boards 2
TRAFFIC OFFENCES

Mount for Sights 1 TNT 4 Kg.

AMMUNITION
7.62 X 39mm 1,735
7.62 X 51mm 75
Assorted ammunition 36,206
Shotgun cartridges 2,721
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

117 Visit the Garda Website at www.garda.ie


INDICTABLE OFFENCES
AN GARDA SÍOCHÁNA ANNUAL REPORT 1999

APPENDIX
AAGUISÍN
PPENDIX (2)

INDICTABLE OFFENCES
ANALYSIS OF
Some descriptions used in the table which summarises indictable offences for the last three years refer
to more than one type of indictable offence as set out hereunder.

Manslaughter Offences involving falsification Escape from Custody


Manslaughter Falsification of accounts Escape from lawful custody
Manslaughter (traffic fatalities) Forgery and uttering Prison Breach
Assault, Wounding, etc Frauds by agents, trustees etc. Rescue from lawful custody

JUVENILE OFFENCES
Dangerous driving causing sbh. Fraud by bogus advertisers Electoral Acts
Wounding etc. (f) Fraud by bogus sales persons Electoral Acts
Wounding (gdai on duty) Frauds by obtaining credit Personation on Indictment
Assaults wounding etc. (m) Fraudulent conversion Possession/Carrying Firearms, etc.
Assaults wounding (gdai on duty) Embezzlement Poss fa or ammo wi endanger life
Endangering Rail Passengers Other Frauds Possession fa or ammo in susp circs
Endangering railway passengers False pretences Carry fa with criminal intent

NON-INDICTABLE OFFENCES
Interference with railway Cheating Other Indictable Offences
Robbery including muggings Coinage Acts - Offences Against Intimidation
Robbery Debtors Ireland Act 1872 Intimidation by letter etc.
Larceny from persons (muggings) Other frauds Official Secrets Act
Other sexual offences Armed Aggravated Burglary Treason Act 1939 Offences
Indecent exposure Armed Aggravated Burglary Affray, riot or violent disorder
Brothel keeping Armed attack on house Public Mischief
Larceny of Animals Possession of Explosives, etc Incitement
Larceny of horses cattle or sheep Possession of explosive substance Bribery

DRUG OFFENCES
Larceny of other livestock Making explosives Perjury
Larceny of MPV’s Causing Explosion, etc Destroy-dispose of dead bodies
Larceny of motor cars Causing an explosion Embracery
Larceny of motor cycles etc. Attempting to cause explosion Misprision of felony
Larceny of motor lorries Unlawful Seizure (Hijackings) Wireless Telegraphy Act
Larceny of other m.p.v.’s Unlawful seizure of aircraft Corruption
Larceny of Firearms Unlawful seizure of vehicles Obstruct clergy during services
Larceny of firearms Other - Criminal Damage Forcible Entry Act 1971
TRAFFIC OFFENCES

Larceny of explosives Killing and maiming cattle Compounding a felony


Other Larcenies Malicious damage to schools Other Indictable Offences
Larceny in house to value of £5 Other malicious injury to property Conspiracy
Larceny of m.p.v. accessories Extortion/Blackmail
Larceny of petrol, diesel, l.p.g. Extortion
Larceny of cash, cheques etc. Threat to publish with intent to extort
Larceny of drugs
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Larceny of t.v.’s, radios etc.


Larceny of jewellery or watches
Larceny of cigarettes
Larceny of copper, lead etc.

Visit the Garda Website at www.garda.ie 118


INDICTABLE OFFENCES

AN GARDA SÍOCHÁNA ANNUAL REPORT 1999

INDEX
A F Northern Region, 39
Accounting Officer, 6 FALCONE, 55
Andersen Consulting, 15 Federal Bureau of Investigation, 27 O
Annual Maintenance Budget, 8 Finance & Logistics, 5 ODYSSEUS, 55
INDICTABLE OFFENCES

Annual Policing Plan, 9 Finance, Services & Community Relations, 5 Office of Public Works, 8
Anti Racketeering Unit, 47 Fingerprint Section, 10 Oisín Programme, 52
ANALYSIS OF

Arts and Antiques Unit, 48 Fleet Management Computer System, 7 Operation Advocate, 37
Automated Fingerprints Identification System Fógra Tóra, 9, 13 Operation Clean Street, 52
(AFIS), 10 Forensic Liaison Office, 12 Operation Dóchas, 38
Fraud Alert, 49 Operation Lifesaver, 46
B Operstion Nightcap, 52
Bachelor of Arts (Police Management) Degree G Organisation Development Unit, 4
NCEA, 26 Garda Air Support Unit, 32, 35 Organisation Strength, 21
Ballistics Section, 12 Garda Bureau of Fraud Investigation, 49 Overseas Service, 25
Band of An Garda Síochána, 1,2 Garda College, 21, 27
Barrack Masters Section, 5 Garda Crime Prevention Design Advisor, 20 P
Bureau de Liaison, 45 Garda Criminal Records Office, 9, 13 Photographic Section, 11
JUVENILE OFFENCES

Business Watch, 19 Garda Dog Unit, 35 Policing Plan, 3


Garda Drug Liaison Officers, 52 Post Office Investigation Unit, 49
C Garda Juvenile Diversion Programme, 20 PULSE Change Management, 17
Campus Watch, 18, 19 Garda Mounted Unit, 33, 34 PULSE Project, 15
CCTV, 7,8 Garda Museum & Archives, 1, 2 PULSE Temporary Data Entry Centre (TDEC), 16
Change Management Section, 14 Garda National Drugs Unit, 52, 53 PULSE training, 16
Cheque/Credit Card Fraud Unit, 50 Garda National Quality Service Bureau., 28
Civil Proceedings, 24 Garda National Traffic Bureau, 45 R
Civilian staff, 22 Garda Press & Public Relations Office, 1 Resource Allocation Model, 28
Coastal Watch, 18, 19 Garda Schools Programme, 20
NON-INDICTABLE OFFENCES

Commercial Fraud Units, 50 Garda Security & Intelligence Section, 55 S


Community Alert, 18, 19 Garda Síochána (Complaints) Act, 24 Safety, Health & Welfare., 24
Community Policing, 3 Garda Síochána Human Rights Initiative, 26 Security & Intelligence Section, 43
Community Relations section, 18 Garda Trainee Competition, 21 South Eastern Region, 40
Computer Component Theft, 48 Garda Water Unit, 34, 35 Southern Region, 41
Computer Crime Unit, 51 Garda Web Site, 1 Special Services (Operations), 31
Computer Room, 15 Stolen Motor Vehicle Investigation Unit, 48
Corporate Strategy Plan 2000-2004,3 H Strategic & Resource Management, 3
Crime Administration Section, 44 Hospital Watch, 18, 19 Strategic Management Initiative, 28
Crime, Security & Traffic, 43 Housing Section, 8 Strategy for the Irish Language, 4
Crimestoppers, 48 Human Resource Management, 21 Student/Probationer Training, 26
Criminal Assets Bureau, 53 Human Resource Management & Research, 21 Support Services, 7
Criminal Intelligence, 15 Human Rights Initiative 1999-2000, 3
Criminal Justice Integration Project, 16 T
DRUG OFFENCES

Customer Service Action Plan, 3 I Technical Bureau, 9


Independent Commission for Victims Remains, 1 Telecommunications Section, 7
D Information technology Section, 14 Tetra Radio Standard, 8
Deaths in Garda Custody, 56 Internal Affairs Section, 23 Tourist victim support, 18
Department of Justice, Equality & Law Reform, 9 Interpol, 11, 13, 50, 54 Training Exchange Programme, 55
Director of Finance, 28 Transport Section, 7
Director of Training & Quality Service, 28 J
Director of Training and Quality Service, 26 Joint Leadership Development Programm., 27 U
Discipline, 23 United Nations Peacekeeping training
Dóchas, 38 L Programmes, 27
Document/Handwriting Section, 11 Liaison & Protection Section, 44
Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault V
TRAFFIC OFFENCES

Investigation Unit, 48 M Victim Support, 18


Dublin Fire Brigade, 34 Mapping Section, 9,10
Dublin Metropolitan Region, 38 McCabe Fellowship Exchange, 4 W
Missing Persons Bureau, 44 Western Region, 42
E Money Laundering Investigation Unit,
Eastern Region, 37 51 Y
Emergency Response Unit, 35 Mutual Assistance Section, 44, 50 Year 2000 compliance programme, 16
Employment Equality Act, 22
ESRI, 28 N
EU Co-ordination Unit, 4 National Bureau of Criminal Investigation, 47, 53
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

European Union commitments, 54 National Crime Prevention Office, 19


Europol, 11 National Garda Record Centre, 2
Europol National Unit, 45 National Juvenile Office, 20
Extradition Section, 44 National Millennium Committee, 30
Neighbourhood Watch, 18, 19
New Opportunities for Women, 3

119 Visit the Garda Website at www.garda.ie


EVALUATION OF
AN GARDA SêOCHçNA
POLICING PLAN 1998/99

1999 EVALUATION
The Mission of An Garda Síochána is
to achieve the highest attainable level of
• Personal Protection
• Community Commitment
• State Security

Meastóireacht ar
Phlean Póilíneachta an Gharda Síochána 1998/99

MEASTÓIREACHT 1999
AN GARDA SêOCHçNA EVALUATION OF AN GARDA SêOCHçNA POLICING PLAN 1999

CLç
çR
LEATHANACH

3 AITHEASC AN CHOIMISINÉARA CHUIG AN T-AIRE

5 REAMHRÁ

6 DUL CHUN CINN GO DÁTA

8 GAISCÍ MÓRA I 1999

9 EOCHAIRGAISCÍ 1999 I BPICTIÚIRÍ

17 BUISÉAD AIRGEADAIS DO 1999

19 MEASTÓIREACHT AR 1999 AR NA 34 POINTE GNÍOMHAÍOCHTA I BPLEAN


PÓILÍNEACHTA AN GHARDA SÍOCHÁNA

45 ACHOIMRE RÉIGIÚNACH AR DHUL CHUN CINN Ó GACH ROINN GHARDA

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AN GARDA SêOCHçNA EVALUATION OF AN GARDA SêOCHçNA POLICING PLAN 1999

CONT
TENT
TS
PAGE

4 COMMISSIONER’S ADDRESS TO THE MINISTER

5 INTRODUCTION

6 PROGRESS TO DATE

8 MAJOR ACHIEVEMENTS IN 1999

9 KEY 1999 ACHIEVEMENTS IN CHARTS

17 REVENUE BUDGET FOR 1999

19 EVALUATION, FOR 1999, OF THE 34 ACTION POINTS IN THE GARDA SÍOCHÁNA


POLICING PLAN 1998/99.

45 REGIONAL SUMMARY OF PROGRESS FROM EACH GARDA DIVISION.

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AN GARDA SêOCHçNA EVALUATION OF AN GARDA SêOCHçNA POLICING PLAN 1999

Aiitheasc an ChoiimisiinŽ Žara


chu uig an t--Aiire Dll’ agu
us Ciirt, Com
mhiionnannaiis agu
us Athch—
—iriithe Dll’

Leag Plean Póilíneachta an Gharda Síochána 1998/1999 amach go soiléir


aidhmeanna na heagraíochta don tréimhse 1998/1999. Cuireann an
mheastoireacht luachmhar seo ar fáil modh lenar féidir leis an bpobal
meastóireacht a dhéanamh ar an bhfairsing gur féidir leis An Garda
Síochána tús áite a thabhairt dá gcuid riachtanais agus tá áthas orm gur
féidir leis an mheastóireacht a íoslódáil ag www.garda.ie, i., Láithreán
Gréasán an Gharda Síochána.

Ba bhliain thar a bheith rathúil í 1999 le go leor forbairtí roimh a raibh


fáilte. Bhí an ráta coireachta síos go híseal fiche bliana agus bhí an ráta
bratha fós faoi dhó é sin de Na Stáit Aontaithe Mheiriceá. D’fhás Biúró
Náisiúnta Cailíochta an Gharda agus Marc Aonad an Gharda isteach in
aonaid éifeachta táirgeachta. Thosaigh athbhreithniú struchtúrtha faoin
Tionscnamh um Bhainistíocht Straitéiseach. Chuir an Biúró Náisiúnta
Tráchta an Gharda Síochána agus na céadta Gardaí dícheallacha i ngach
roinn le bás ar ár mbóithre a laghdú ó 458 go 413 duine.

Tá An Biúró Náisiúnta Cáilíochta Seirbhíse suite i gColáiste an Gharda Síochána ar An Teampall Mór. Ba
bhliain gníomhaíochta í 1999 chun réimse leathan feabhsúcháin seirbhíse a ghiniúint mar chuid den Phlean
Gníomhaíochta um Sheirbhísí Custaiméirí Cháilíochta an Gharda. Admhaíonn An Garda Síochána go bhfuil
dóchais agus riachtanais ag ár gcustaiméirí agus go gcaithfidh siad seo feabhas leanúnach a chruthú i
seachadadh seirbhíse ag comhaltaí den Gharda Síochána. Cuireadh tús le Painéalacha Custaiméirí Roinne ar
fud na tíre i 1999 chun dearcadh an phobail a seirbheálann muid a chur isteach.

Tá Marcaonad an Gharda Síochána lonnaithe i gCeanncheathrú an Gharda Síochána agus comhlíonann sé


patróláil rialta i mBaile átha Cliath agus ag imeachtaí móra ar fud an náisiúin. Tarraingaíonn an t-aonad
suim leathan ó gach roinn den phobail agus is acmhainn luachmhar í chun seirbhís póilíniú ard-
infheictheacht a chur ar fáil don phobal. I rith 1999 ceanglaíodh an Marcaonad, an tAonad Uisce agus an
t-Aonad Aerthacaíochta le hAonad nua Seirbhísí Speisialta agus de réir mar a léiríonn na tuairiscí ó Ranna an
Gharda go soiléir, d’éirigh leis An Aonad Aerthacaíochta a bheith ina bhuntáiste le coir a laghdú agus a
bhrath.

Chabhraigh An Plean Póilíneachta, ag cur le rath an Dhoiciméid um Straitéis Corparáide 1993-1997 agus
agus ag dul isteach i Straitéis Corparáide an Gharda Síochána 2000-2004, le cur chuige níos dírithe chuig
póilíniú ag gach comhalta den Gharda Síochána a fhorbairt. Cuireadh réimse nua gníomhairí forfheidhmithe
le chéile agus méadaíodh éifeachtúlacht agus éifeachtacht. Tá siad go léir tar éis cur le titim 1999 eile i
gcoir taifeadta agus le méadú in éifeachtacht iomlán póilínithe.

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Pádraig Ó Broin
COIMISINÉIR AN GHARDA SÍOCHÁNA
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AN GARDA SêOCHçNA EVALUATION OF AN GARDA SêOCHçNA POLICING PLAN 1999

Com
mmissiionerÕÕs Ad
ddress to the Miiniister for Ju
ustiice, Equ
uallityy and
d
Law
w Reform
m

An Síochána’s Annual Policing Plan 1998/1999 set out clearly the


aims of the organisation for the period 1998/1999. This valuable
evaluation provides a means by which the public can assess the
extent to which An Garda Síochána prioritise its needs and I am
pleased that this evaluation can be downloaded at www.garda.ie,
the Garda website.

1999 was an extremely successful year with many welcome


developments. The crime rate was down to a 20-year low and the
detection rate was still twice that of the USA. The Garda National
Quality Bureau and the Garda Mounted Unit grew into effective,
productive units. A structural review began under SMI. The Garda
National Traffic Bureau and hundreds of hard-working Gardaí in
every division contributed to reducing death on our roads from 458
to 413.

The Garda National Quality Service Bureau is located at the Garda Síochána College, Templemore.
1999 was a year of action in generating a wide range of service improvements as part of the Garda
Quality Customer Service Action Plan. An Garda Síochána acknowledges that our customers have
expectations and needs and that these must lead to continuous improvement in service delivery by
members of An Garda Síochána. Divisional Customer Panels were set up throughout the country in
1999 to feed in the views of the community we serve.

The Garda Mounted Unit is based at Garda Headquarters and performs regular patrols in Dublin and
at major events nation-wide. The unit attracts widespread interest from all sections of the community
and is a valuable resource in providing a high visibility policing service to the public. During 1999
the Mounted Unit, the Water Unit and the Air Support Unit were attached to the new Special
Services Unit and, as the reports from Garda divisions show clearly, the Air Support Unit has
developed into a formidable asset in reducing and detecting crime.

The Policing Plan, building on the success of the Corporate Strategy Document 1993-1997 and
leading into the Garda Corporate Strategy 2000-2004, has helped develop a more focused approach
to policing by all members of An Garda Síochána. A range of new innovative enforcement agencies
have been created and efficiency and effectiveness has been increased. These have all contributed
to a further 1999 fall in recorded crime and to an increase in overall policing effectiveness.

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Patrick Byrne
COMMISSIONER OF AN GARDA SÍOCHÁNA
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AN GARDA SêOCHçNA EVALUATION OF AN GARDA SêOCHçNA POLICING PLAN 1999

INT
TRODUCT
TION

Essentially, the Garda Síochána Policing Plan 1998-99 had 34 action points to achieve ten key
policing priorities for 1998-99. Table 1 overleaf shows what has been achieved in 1999. Fourteen
quality customer service initiatives were designed to increase customer satisfaction. The 34 action
points and 14 quality service initiatives are set amongst the 15 Strategic Management Initiative
projects being developed and implemented by the Garda SMI Implementation Steering Group.

The pace and scope of change has enormously accelerated in recent years and this evaluation shows
an organisation excelling in its outputs and outcomes; mainly by identifying problems at an early
stage and solving them.

The implementation of the Garda Síochána Policing Plan 1998-99 was completed effectively thanks
to the hard work of thousands of Garda and civilian staff and the co-operation and commitment of a
wide range of Government and Non-Government agencies and the community we serve.

RƒAMHR

Go bunúsach, bhí 34 pointe gníomhaíochta ag Plean Póilíneachta an Gharda Síochána chun deich
n-eochar tosaíocht póilínithe a bhaint amach do 1998-99. Léiríonn Tábla 1 thall an méid a baineadh
amach i 1999. Dearadh 14 tionscnamh um sheirbhís custaiméirí le sásamh chustaiméara a mhéadú.
Tá na 34 pointe gníomhaíochta agus na 14 tionscnamh um cháilíocht na seirbhíse curtha i measc na
15 tógra ar Tionscnamh Bhainistíocht Straitéiseach atá á bhforbairt agus á bhfeidhmiú ag an Grúpa
Stiúrtha Forfheidhmiú TBS.

Tá an luas agus an scóip athruithe tar éis luathaithe go mór le blianta beaga anuas agus léiríonn an
mheastóireacht seo eagraíocht atá ar fheabhas ina chuid táirgeachta agus ina chuid torthaí; go
príomha trí fadhbanna a aithint ag céim luath agus trí iad a réiteach.

Críochnaíodh forfheidhmiú Phlean Póilíneachta an Gharda Síochána 1998-99 go héifeachtach,


buíochas le hobair chrua na mílte Garda agus le foireann sibhialta agus le comhoibriú agus díograis
réimse leathan gníomhairí Rialtais agus Neamh-Rialtais agus leis an bpobal a sheirbhéalann muid.

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AN GARDA SêOCHçNA EVALUATION OF AN GARDA SêOCHçNA POLICING PLAN 1999

PROGR
RES
SS TO DAT
TE

The 34 Action points were completed as planned. Some of the activities although implemented will
require continuous and continuing attention into the future – targeting drug dealers, reducing death
on our roads, improving our emergency response, investigating crime, helping victims and providing
high visibility policing in our community.

Table 1: Policing Plan Action Points Status Report

STATUS: Completed as Planned


1. Start implementing the Report of the Garda Efficiency and Effectiveness Steering Group
2. Introduce a Garda Quality Programme and publish a Garda Quality Customer Service Action Plan to improve
emergency response times, our response to burglary victims, satisfaction with counter service and with phone calls
to stations, and with community policing, provide better case-progress information and improve the process of
investigating traffic accidents
3. Complete research on the increase in rape victimisation; further strengthen our response
4. Reassure the public with high visibility policing and continue the emphasis on proactive policing
5. Target prolific offenders
6. Crime focus: Dublin NC and SC. Improve CCTV coverage particularly in Dublin SC and NC
7. Compile a database of policing presentations and articles
8. Assess new demand created by improving the Garda phone service and community policing
9. Target Regional repeat victimisation by counting the number of repeat calls to same address
10. Prepare for Commissioner becoming Accounting Officer for An Garda Siochana
11. Further develop notional devolved budgeting and improve purchasing policy and stock control
12. Fine-tune the Human Resource Allocation Model with up to date data
13. Assess resource allocation implications of new programmes with all current resources
14. Review the Garda Building Programme in 1999
15. Analyse and act upon the drugs-crime relationship large-scale survey, intensify proactive drugs misuse policing and
work with and continue to expand co-operation with a wide range of appropriate community, voluntary and other
statutory agencies in fighting drugs misuse
16. Develop more proactive operations in respect of street-level drug dealing and develop further demand reduction
initiatives
17. Create new operations to counter crime against the elderly
18. Further develop the Air Support Unit
19. Facilitate the introduction of a Police Foundation
20. Introduce a Garda Mounted Unit
21. Introduce a Garda Water Unit
22. Assist the National Crime Forum and the Crime Council
23. Deliver the Garda objectives of the Department of JELR Strategy Statement 1998-2000
24. Complete a new programme of weapons and explosives searches
25. Further develop the Criminal Assets Bureau to counter organised crime
26. Support the Government's Road Safety Strategy, improve road safety with the Garda National Traffic Bureau, and
further improve road safety with more Gatso Speeding Detection Systems and fixed cameras
27. Recreate and recycle successful operations such as Dochas and Freeflow
28. Complete and evaluate the NOW Project
29. PULSE Project: complete the yearly programme segment and enhance the IT system
30. Improve the radio system for the Dublin Region
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31. Develop a BA in Police Management at the Garda Síochána College and contribute Ga á
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to an Criminal Justice Management MA


A

32. Examine the reward structure of the service


33. Increase training intake and civilian intake
34. Open a web site
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AN GARDA SêOCHçNA EVALUATION OF AN GARDA SêOCHçNA POLICING PLAN 1999

The 34 action points contributed to achieving the overall impact of the Policing Plan. The overall
impact sought was set out in ten points:

1.maintain or increase public satisfaction with Garda service


2.foster a more effective partnership against crime
3.increase prioritised detections
4.reassure the public with high visibility policing
5.identify, target and reduce repeat victimisation
6.respond promptly and effectively, including a response to drugs misuse
7.reduce crime in Dublin North Central South Central by targeting prolific offenders
and CCTV
8. help make roads safer
9. strive towards excellence in policing
10. increase organisational effectiveness in one prioritised section by improving purchasing
policy and stock control.

Each of these impacts was achieved. The policing plan ended on the 31st December, 1999 and
each Divisional Officer – having submitted a Divisional Policing Plan based on the Policing Plan –
provided an evaluation of their divisional 1999 plan achievements. The divisional evaluations from
each Garda Region are at pages 45 to 59.

CONCLUS
SION
The 34 action points planned have been achieved, crime is at its lowest for 20 years, road deaths
are down 12 per cent in two years and overall policing effectiveness has been increased. This was
achieved, in 1999, while An Garda Síochána stayed £3.9m. under budget.

Any follow-up work needed has been included in the Garda Síochána Annual Policing Plan 2000.
Divisional policing plans were an important element in this healthy report and the summary of the
reports from each division at pp 45-59 indicates the success and effectiveness achieved at regional
and divisional level. The graphs from page 9 to 18 chart another year of progress.

The Commissioner, in this Evaluation, evaluates and reports policing plan results to the Minister for
Justice, Equality and Law Reform and to the community we serve. The evaluation will form part of
the Garda Síochána Annual Report this year and every year and, with the Garda Síochána Annual
Report, will be published on the web to afford increased access and transparency to everyone.

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AN GARDA SêOCHçNA EVALUATION OF AN GARDA SêOCHçNA POLICING PLAN 1999

MAJOR
R ACHIEVEMENT
TS IN 1999

Table 2 shows what has been achieved in 1999:


Table 2: Major Successes and Achievements During 1999

Major Successes and Achievements During 1999


1. New Operations targeted on-street drug dealing
2. Crime at a 20-year low
3. Detections continue at a very high rate of 42%
4. Road deaths down 12 per cent over two years
5. Speeding, Seatbelts, Drink Driving enforcement trebled over five years
6. The Criminal Assets Bureau is now a formidable tool to trace, restrain and seize .ib.Criminal assets;criminal assets
and 1999 was its most successful year to date.
7. The Garda National Drugs Unit seized .ib.Drugs worth;drugs worth £37m.
8. The Garda Bureau of Fraud Investigation continued dealt with 1,421 reports of suspicious transaction money
laundering involving £117m.
9. The Garda National Bureau of Criminal Investigation played a key role in detecting 31 of 38 murders in 1999
(note: may increase, still investigating)
10. CCTV coverage was expanded
11. There was an increased training intake and the Keating Report set out a framework to improve future generations
of Garda students.
12. The Garda Mounted Unit was expanded
13. The Dublin Region Voice, Image and Data Network Contract was implemented
14. The first intake for the Bachelor of Arts Degree in Police Management successfully completed their course.
15. The Garda Quality Service Bureau was successful in generating a very strong continuous improvement ethic and
in furthering the 14 quality initiatives with very strong support from each division and from the Divisional and
National Customer Service Panels.
16. The Garda Web Site was further developed
17. In 1999 the Garda Corporate Strategy2000-2004 and the Annual Policing Plan 2000 were drafted. The Annual
Policing Plan benefited from a wide consultation process.
18. Devolved Budgeting was further developed.
19. New operations countered crime against the elderly.ib.Notional Devolved Budgeting;
20. An extended On-The-Spot-Fine System was introduced nation-wide
21. The high visibility policing policy was expanded
22. Traffic operations were continued all year round
23. The Air Support Unit continued to expand its functional role
24. Community Relations extended Coastal, Business and Campus watch
25. An Evaluation of Neighbourhood Policing was completed and acted upon.
26. Explosives and firearms were seized and serious bombing outrages prevented
27. The Report on the Financial Management Framework was completed

The range of achievements shown here and charted in the pages following have been produced by
an effective organisation which has world-class excellence in police training,
community policing, assets tracing, restraint and seizure, and in anti-terrorist policing; a Garda
service which delivers a service to the community it serves which is a very close match with
community policing needs. rda Síoc
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AN GARDA SêOCHçNA EVALUATION OF AN GARDA SêOCHçNA POLICING PLAN 1999

EVALUATTION OF
AN GAR
RDA SêOCHç
çNA POLICING PLAN
1999 EVALUATTION
LUACHççIL 1999
Lu
uach‡il ar Plean P—il’neachta an Ga
arda S’och‡na 1998
8/99

1. Start implementing the Report of the Garda Efficiency


and Effectiveness Steering Group
Cuir tœs le feidhmiœ Tuarasc‡il Ghrœpa Stiœrtha an
Gharda S’och‡na ar ƒifeachtacht agus ar
Fheidhmiœlacht

SMI Background
In November 1997, the Government accepted in principle the recommendations set out in the
Report of the Steering Group on the Efficiency and Effectiveness of the Garda Síochána. That review
was conducted in the framework of the Strategic Management Initiative across the public service.
The Report contained many recommendations requiring a more comprehensive development of
issues relating to the organisation, operations, financing and performance and accountability of An
Garda Síochána. In January 1998, the Government established a new Garda SMI Steering Group to
develop the Report's recommendations for implementation. To this end, a BottomUP Review (BUR)
Group was established to focus on organisation structures/systems and the deployment of
operational resources and to bring recommendations to the Steering Group in the areas for which it
was made responsible. A full time Implementation Team comprising representatives from the Garda
Síochána and from the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform was also appointed to
develop proposals for, and oversee implementation of, decisions made by the Steering Group and
BUR Group. The Government was advised in November 1997 that the overall implementation
process could be three to five years. This report is a summary of the second “Progress Report to
Government”. The first Report to Government was made in July, 1999.

The Report for 1999


Considerable progress has been made and this report charts the progress made in 1999 in the 15
projects comprising the Strategic Management Initiative in An Garda Síochána. It is anticipated that
the next Report, expected to be completed by end-year 2000 will be the final overall Report by the
Steering Group to Government. This is consistent with the work programme which was put in place
for the development of projects up to the year 2000. This Report – in three PARTS – outlines
progress which has been made to date in developing the Garda SMI projects. rda Sío ch
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AN GARDA SêOCHçNA EVALUATION OF AN GARDA SêOCHçNA POLICING PLAN 1999

PART ONE
Part 1 summarises progress to date on BUR projects [(a), (b)and
(c), below] and other projects [(d), (e) and (f), below] which have been developed
and which are in the early stages of implementation:
(a) A National Quality Service Bureau has been established to drive the Garda Síochána Quality
Service Action Plan and a number of quality service initiatives and research are underway.
(b) A more efficient rostering system, agreed with Garda representative bodies is being
implemented on a pilot basis.
(c) Recommendations to strengthen student and probationer training are contained in an expert
report.
(d) A new Director of Finance is leading the implementation of a modern and strategic financial
management system for An Garda Síochána.
(e)The report of an Expert Group on criminal law was presented to government in 1998 and
arising from this the Government has approved the drafting of a new Criminal Justice Bill, to
improve the criminal justice system generally.
(f) The PULSE IT project which replaced outmoded systems in 1999 will process and present all
of the information resources of An Garda Síochána in a highly efficient and effective manner.
Table 3: Status of SMI Projects

Status of SMI Projects


Completed Nearing Completion Continuing
SP Training Promotion GERM
Quality Service Senior Training Structures
Rostering HRM Management of Performance
Finance Civilianisation Change Management

PART TWO
Part II provides an outline of BUR projects [(a) to (e), below] and project (f) which have been
substantially progressed and which are nearing completion:
(a) Information seminars for all Garda ranks and civilian staff are continuing and a third
newsletter has issued.
(b) A new strategic Human Resource Management framework is nearing completion.
(c) A management and in-service training review is nearing finalisation.
(d) A working report recommending expanding and developing civilianisation has been
completed.
(e) A study to assess policing demands and to determine the best manner to allocate available
resources to meet those demands is nearing completion. See Action Point 12, pp 29 and 30.
(f) A review of Promotion has been completed and has recommended more efficient and
effective promotion methods.

PART THREE
Part 111 refers to the BUR project (a), below, and projects (b) and (c), below, on which work is
continuing and which it is anticipated will be completed at end-year 2000:
(a) A review to determine the Garda structures, work processes and systems needed to achieve
greater levels of efficiency and effectiveness.
(b) The Garda Commissioner will be extending an invitation in the near future to staff
associations to discuss a performance management system and this will be progressed in 2000.
(c) A High Level Review Group is developing an appropriate performance and accountability
framework for An Garda Síochána.
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AN GARDA SêOCHçNA EVALUATION OF AN GARDA SêOCHçNA POLICING PLAN 1999

2. Introduce a Garda Qu uality Progrramme e and pu


ubllish
ha
Garda Qu uality Custtomeer Serviice Action Plan
Cuir i l‡thair Cl‡r C‡il’ochta an Gharda S’och‡na agus
foilsigh Plean Gn’omha’ochta um Seirbh’s
C‡il’ochta an Gharda do ChustaimŽir’

Achievements of the Garda National Quality Service Bureau 1999


• A widely representative National Customer Panel was set up and three meetings were held during
the year exposing the National Quality Service Bureau to a wide range of views and opinions and
learning.
• Regional and Divisional Quality Service Managers were appointed. They received a two-day
induction course in January and attended a two-day seminar in March where information
packs/training packages and resource packs were supplied to them.
• Divisional Quality Service Teams have been established in each division and specialist section
tasked to identify five local issues that they intend to address.
• Divisional Customer Panels have been set up in each division. These panels like the National
Customer Panel have representatives from different customer groups.
• Two newsletters were circulated in 1999.
• Regional meetings were conducted over a three-month period at the end of 1999 to discuss the
ongoing implementation of the Garda Quality Service Action Plan at local level. The meetings
were extremely beneficial and the issues highlighted are being addressed.
• Newsletter (No.2) gave the survey results into Public Satisfaction with Telephone Callers to Garda
Stations and the final report was circulated to each regional /divisonal manager for detailed
analysis. As a result of the survey telephone stickers were obtained for placing on each telephone
in Garda Stations to standardise best phone response practice. Each Divisional Officer was given
the results to generate improvement and two key result pages from the survey are at p.15.
• A study was conducted by NQSB on 999 Response Times and a report issued.
• A Staff Attitude Survey was conducted by ESRI In September 1999.
• The final draft of the Garda Customer Charter was prepared.
• Sergeant M. Finnegan and Sergeant J. Keohane successfully completed the Diploma in Quality
Management at the University of Limerick.
• Articles on Garda Quality Service ran in Communique and the Garda Review.

The Garda National Quality Bureau was established in 1998 as part of the Garda SMI process,
developed strongly in 1999 and is located at the Garda Síochána College. A National Garda Quality
Customer Service Panel has been set up, supported by Divisional Customer Panels to gather the
views of all Garda customers particularly the community we serve. A results oriented Garda Quality
Customer Service Action Plan has been published. A Charter for Garda Customers has been
published.

The action plan:


• launches a Quality Service ethos in An Garda Síochána;
• identifies who our customers are;
• acknowledges that our customers have expectations and needs and that these must be taken on
board by members of An Garda Síochána;

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AN GARDA SêOCHçNA EVALUATION OF AN GARDA SêOCHçNA POLICING PLAN 1999

• recognises the ever-more important role of ongoing communication, consultation and


collaboration with representatives of our diverse customer base;
• highlights fourteen key priority areas where standards have to be formally established; these
standards will serve as benchmarks for future measurement;
• sets out the principles of Quality Service in An Garda Síochána and;
• in particular, seeks continuous improvement in everything we do.

A National Customer Panel and Divisional Customer Panels were established. Fourteen areas
highlighted in the Garda Quality Customer Service Action Plan have been targeted for immediate
priority action:
1. Improving our response to burglary victims.
2. Response times.
3. Keeping people informed of case-progress.
4. Improving the process of investigating Traffic accidents.
5. Satisfaction with counter service – Survey to be done by MRBI.
6. Satisfaction with phone calls to Garda Stations. Survey completed by IMS. Divisions
have improved their phone response.
7. Correspondence Register. Survey to be completed by Insight.
8. Community Policing; Report being completed by Organisation Development Unit.
9. Informal Service Complaint Procedure. Survey to be completed by IMI.
10. Citizen Group Liaiso: Information Flow. Survey to be completed by Insight .
11. Internal Information Flow. Survey to be completed by IMI.
12. Internal Customer focus (1) Resources. Climate survey of Gardaí completed. Civilians staff
climate survey near completion.
13. Internal Customer Focus (2) Inspections. Survey to be completed by IMI.
14. Bullying in Schools. Quality Bureau is co-ordinating a pilot project in Donegal.

Phone Response
A phone response survey was conducted in 1999. A Garda Quality Bureau survey of the telephone
responses of Gardaí to telephone customers completed by Irish Marketing Surveys indicates a very
high level of satisfaction with the response received. A key finding in a very high satisfaction rating
was that over 90 per cent of calls answered were dealt with to completion by the Garda who
answered the phone. Divisions who excelled have shared their best practice. Those who did less
well have improved their phone response by using the new procedures recommended by the
Quality Bureau, from a review of their own procedures and from reviewing best practice in other
divisions.

Call-out Response
A breakdown of Garda response times within 15 minutes to calls in the Dublin Region is at page 11.
The speed of response to emergency calls has been declining from 90 per cent to 83 per cent within
15 minutes over the past five years as the number of calls increase and road traffic intensifies.
Response to Priority 1, Priority 2 and Priority 3 calls has also been declining. This is the only
measure of Garda effectiveness which has been weakening. The Gardaí always try to minimise
response times to all calls. This is becoming more difficult as the number of incidents in the Dublin
Region and elsewhere continues to increase.

Response times are now the number one priority of the Garda Quality Service Bureau and are the
number one priority in the Garda Quality Customer Service Action Plan. The 50 per cent increase in

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AN GARDA SêOCHçNA EVALUATION OF AN GARDA SêOCHçNA POLICING PLAN 1999

the Garda fleet over the past decade meant that the large increase in call-outs could be matched
with transport resources and underlines the importance of a further increase in the size of the vehicle
fleet, and the on-the-spot response of our Gardaí on foot and Community Gardaí. We must look to
other methods to improve the response times to the community we serve. Between the start of 1999
and 2002 we are committed to increasing the Garda strength from 11,300 to 12,000. The allocation
of that extra 700 staff should be to areas of highest service demand to improve our speed and quality
of response. Any increase in civilianisation will increase the number of Gardaí on our streets and on
our roads and should result in improved response times – unless demand rises even more sharply
than at present. The proposed new TETRA radio system will assist in reducing response times but
that will not come on-stream for four to five years.

Radical new ways of reducing response times will have to be considered. These include:
• Can one-person cars be safely used where two-man cars are currently operating?
• Has our implementation of the Comptroller and Auditor General’s recommendation to reduce
motor-cycle numbers worsened our response times and is it time to rethink?
• Should response times be a district performance indicator?
• Should Traffic Corps or specifically trained Gardaí investigate all traffic accidents?
• How accurately do we define Emergency Calls and Priority 1, 2 and 3 calls and will PULSE,
TETRA or current telecommunications improvements assist in fully accurate nation-wide call-
logging and call-categorisation?

3. Compllete rese earch on the increase e in rape


e
viictimiisa
ation; fu
urther sttrengtthen our respoonse
e

Cr’ochnaigh taighde ar mhŽadœ in ’ospartacht


Žignaithe; neartaigh ar bhfreagracht n’os m—
Reported rapes fell in 1999. The Garda Research Unit has completed research into reported cases of
rape contained in the Garda Síochána Annual Report. Further research is continuing into patterns of
victimisation and levels of attrition in rape and other sexual offences.

Published research findings and the smaller number of rape victims in Ireland indicate that it may be
difficult to identify useful patterns of rape victimisation in terms of locations, times or repeat
victimisation. Different patterns of offending can be typical of different rape categories, perhaps
present in child abuse rapes but absent in other rapes. Because of this it is difficult to predict and
pro-actively prevent rape with policing because so few patterns are evident. If the present research
work provides useful patterns it will represent a big breakthrough. The Garda Research Unit has
completed useful work in this area already, the Forensic Science Laboratory has recently published
work on victims of sexual assault and Garda David Kelly has completed research and analysis of the
case outcomes of 186 rape cases recorded in 1996.

Personnel from the Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Investigation Unit and Garda Trainers
regularly participate in seminars organised in conjunction with statutory bodies and voluntary groups
such as the Rape Crisis Centre, Women's Aid and the Irish Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to

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AN GARDA SêOCHçNA EVALUATION OF AN GARDA SêOCHçNA POLICING PLAN 1999

Children. The aim is to build on the good working relationship between these bodies and to improve
Garda investigation procedures and co-operation so that victims of rape are supported throughout. A
liaison procedure is now in place in all Divisions in accordance with the agreed policy between
Gardaí and Health Boards on the investigation of reports of suspected child abuse. The investigation
of crimes of violence against women and children is a core module in training courses at the Garda
Síochána College and In-Service Schools. All Students undertake a three-day seminar.

Victims of these crimes are supported in a sympathetic and sensitive manner and Victim Support and
other support groups have made a particularly impressive contribution to helping rape victims. A
Garda Victim Liaison Officer has been appointed in Community Relations Section.

4. Reassu ure the pu


ubllic wiith high
h viisiibiility po
olicing and
continue the emph hasiis on prroactive e po olicing
Cuir an pobal ar a shuaimhneas le p—il’niœ ard-
infheictheacht agus lean leis an bhŽim a chur ar
ph—il’niœ rŽamhghn’omhach

High visibility patrols increased in 1999 and a range of new operations increased Garda activity on
our streets and roads resulting in less crime and less death on the roads. There has been an
increased emphasis on community policing and foot policing with pilot rosters to increase Garda
numbers during busy times. The increase in Garda strength to 12,000 by 2002 will further heighten
the high visibility policing policy.

5. Targe
et prrolifiic offe
enders
D’righ
h ar chiont—ir’ torthœlla

The reports from the Dublin divisions (pp 47-53) show how each division tackled prolific criminals
by targeting them and by fast-tracking their cases through the criminal justice system.
The expansion in the number of prison places over recent years resulted in prolific offenders
serving a longer portion of their sentence thereby reducing crime. The emphasis on targeting
prolific offenders has achieved a strong crime reduction.

Repeat Victimisation
The Organisation Development Unit reported on the top ten repeat victimisation locations in all 107
Garda Districts in the State during 1999. They will complete this research during 2000 by identifying
CCTV locations which will most prevent and reduce crime. The third part of this work should
identify the 100 most prolific offenders in the State and identify linkages with repeat victimisation
locations. This, again, is a task for 2000.

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AN GARDA SêOCHçNA EVALUATION OF AN GARDA SêOCHçNA POLICING PLAN 1999

Criminal Assets Bureau


The creation of the Criminal Assets Bureau as an operational unit within the structures of An Garda
Síochána constitutes a significant re-focusing of operational methods in dealing with criminals
engaged in the illicit drugs trade and serious crime. The Bureau has identified appropriate areas for
action. A proactive multiagency approach is being pursued with the gathering of intelligence and
information on known criminals who are regarded as major players in drugs trafficking and other
serious crime in the State.

The Bureau has been extremely effective to date in the battle against organised crime and public
confidence in the ability of the Gardaí to tackle major criminals has been greatly increased. It
presents an Annual Report to the Minister each year.

The Garda Bureau of Fraud Investigation


The Bureau has been very successful in targeting prolific offenders and keeping up to date
with the latest developments in fraud related offences, particularly computer fraud and
moneylaundering.

Money Laundering Investigation Unit


The reporting of suspicious transactions by financial institutions commenced on 22 May 1995 under
the provisions of the Criminal Justice Act, 1994. During 1998, 1202 disclosures were received with
a cumulative value of £124.5 million. During 1999 the number of suspicious transactions increased
to 1421 involving £117.7m. The operation of the Criminal Justice Act, 1994 is proving extremely
effective with the total number of disclosures and the amount seized increasing significantly.

Intelligence Gathering
The further development of intelligence systems and analysis and dissemination contributed
substantially to many successes in the fight against organised and subversive crime. Pilots have
improved our intelligence collating system with Releases of PULSE, our IT Project.

Witness Security Programme


The country’s first witness security programme is being run and operated from the Special Detective
Unit. Essential vulnerable witnesses in major criminal cases can now be considered for Garda
protection. The criteria for protection is that
“An Garda Síochána may consider assisting a person who can provide essential evidence, generally
in relation to the most serious offences and to whose safety a substantial threat exists”.

CrimeStoppers
Ciarán Conlon, Director of CrimeStoppers, at a reception hosted by the President, Mary McAleese,
described a very successful first year for the CrimeStoppers initiative by An Garda Síochána and
Dublin Chamber of Commerce.

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6. Crimee fo
ocus: Dubllin NC and SC. Imprrove e CCTV
coveeragee pa
articularly in Dubllin SC and NC
F—cas na coireachta: Baile çtha Cliath L‡ir Thuaidh
agus L‡ir Theas. Cuir feabhas ar fhaire theilif’se
ciorcaid iata go m—r mh—r i mBaile çtha Cliath L‡ir
Theas agus L‡ir Thuaidh.

The installation of Closed Circuit Television (CCTV) system in the greater O’Connell Street and
Fizgibbon Street areas was completed during the year. The existing CCTV system in the Pearse
Street/Temple Bar area and the new systems are proving very effective in crime prevention and crime
detection. The CCTV system extension is proving very successful and is welcomed by both city
centre traders and the public at large.

In 1999 CCTV reduced crime in Dublin districts where it was installed and detection rates were
increased. Detection rates in CCTV districts were 53.9 per cent compared to 35 per cent in non-
CCTV districts and crime in 1999 was reduced by 23.3 per cent in CCTV districts compared to a 19
per cent reduction in non-CCTV districts. The installation of 24 CCTV cameras is underway in
Tralee. There are proposals to introduce close circuit television cameras also to a number of other
town centres such as Dundalk, Limerick, Bray, Dun Laoghaire, Finglas and Galway. Submissions
have also been made to Assistant Commissioner Finance, Services and Community Relations from
other Garda divisions to install CCTV cameras in urban areas. These are being processed.

7. Compiile a databa
ase
e of po
olicing prrese
entations and
articles
Cuir bunachar sonra’ de chainteanna agus dÕaltanna
p—il’neachta i dtoll a chŽile
A database of all policing presentations and articles written about policing in Ireland has been
created at the Garda Síochána College library at Templemore. This will provide students and others
with useful source and reference material on policing in Ireland.

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8. Asseess new dema and created by imprroviing the Garda


ph
hone se erviice and commuunity po
olicing
Measœnaigh an t-Žileamh nua a chrutha’odh tr’ feabhas
a chur ar sheirbh’s teileaf—in an Gharda S’och‡na agus
p—il’niœ phobail

Improving the Garda Phone Service


A steering committee was set up to develop and oversee the introduction of a central call handling
system in An Garda Síochána. A microwave network improves the efficiency of the PULSE system
because there are no circuit costs apart from capital costs. This development will migrate to the
TETRA secure radio system (see p. 41).

A Garda Quality Service Bureau survey of the telephone responses of Gardaí to customers
completed by Irish Marketing Surveys indicates a very high level of satisfaction with the response
received. A key finding which improved the satisfaction rating was that over 90 per cent of calls
answered were dealt with to completion by the Garda who answered the phone (See p. 15).

The Garda Dublin Metropolitan Region Network (DMRnet) Project is designed to provide integrated
Telecommunications facilities to all 51 Garda sites within the Dublin Region. The main objectives of
this project are:
a) To ensure the most effective call answering service to the public
b) To provide the most efficient communication service between Gardaí
c) To provide for the development of new communications services for the Gardaí.

The system will support high-speed data communications between all stations in Dublin. This will
allow Gardaí in stations throughout the city using the new PULSE computer applications to access
the central databases, to share information and be informed of any relevant incidents or events as
soon as they occur.

Community Policing
Coastal watch, Business Watch and Campus Watch all expanded strongly in 1999. Community
Relations Programmes, including Neighbourhood Watch and Community Alert programmes have
expanded strongly in 1998 and in 1999 they were examined and dormant programmes removed
from the list. A full breakdown is shown at page 14. During 1999 the initial steps to achieve a three
per cent increase in Neighbourhood and Community Alert Programmes during 2000 were taken.
Coastal Watch continues to provide a forum for acquiring the help and goodwill of the public
residing and working in coastal areas to prevent and detect the illegal importation of drugs,
contraband and weapons. During 1999, Coastal Watch encircled the entire seaboard of the State.
Estuary Watch on the Shannon was added.

Crime prevention advice was presented at major exhibitions including the National Ploughing
Championships and the Ideal Homes Exhibition. The message of crime prevention was promoted
through presentations and talks to courses and community groups by staff at the National Crime
Prevention Office and also by each Divisional Crime Prevention Officer. Talks and presentations on
computer crime were made to groups and organisations in the computer manufacturing and retail
trade. Advice has been given on crime prevention through “Crimeline” and other television and

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AN GARDA SêOCHçNA EVALUATION OF AN GARDA SêOCHçNA POLICING PLAN 1999

radio programmes. Tourist Security Booklets are distributed in appropriate centres giving advice to
tourists on personal safety and property security. Crime prevention schemes expansion is welcome
and ensures closer co-operation between the public and the Gardaí.

During 1999, the EU Tampere Council put crime prevention firmly on the Justice and Home Affairs
agenda together with protecting individual rights. Both of these are key outputs of Community
Relations Section and 1999 saw a major initiative in the field of enhancing our response to a more
multicultural society and a strong Community Relations contribution to international multicultural
seminars and to the Garda Human Rights Initiative 1999-2000.

Community Relations Section now reports to Deputy Commissioner, Strategic and Resource
Management through Assistant Commissioner, Finance, Services and Community Relations.

Significant Protests to Government Buildings


During 1999, 332 protests by a wide range of interest groups have sometimes attracted several
thousand protesters to Government Buildings. These events pose a serious public order threat and
are the source of a significant drain on resources. As can be seen at p. 14, the number of protests
shows an upward trend since 1993 with a very substantial increase in in 1999.

The number of protests almost doubled from 172 to 332 in 1999. Commentators have various views
on the reason for the increase but a common thread throughout the views expressed is a drive by a
wide and diverse range of interest groups to put extra pressure on Government to apportion some of
a very large public finance surplus their way.

9. Targe
et Regiional repe
eat viictimiisa
ation by counting the
numbeer of repe
eat calls to sa
ame e address
D’righ ar ath’ospartacht, tri l’on na nathghlaonna chuig
an seoladh ceannann cŽanna a chomhaireamh
In 1999, the Organisation Development Unit analysed the 1997 and 1998 crime figures to
determine the level of repeat victimisation in every Garda District. The level of repeat victimisation
in each Garda district, the top ten locations in each district – key repeat victimisation locations, and
which crimes are most prone to repeat victimisation, and an up-to-date profile of victims will be
developed. The main report was completed during late 1999 and additional work dictated by early
research findings will be scheduled for 2000 for completion by August 2000. An essential element
of the additional work is to identify where CCTV coverage would most impact on reducing crime.
The methodology of the Repeat Burglary Victimisation Study in Tipperary Division completed by the
Garda Research Unit has been used as a model for the 1999 work. Identifying the 100 most prolific
current offenders in the State, the 100 who most specialise in repeat victimisation, and the 10 most
prolific criminals in each Garda District will complete the three linked elements of this work by
identifying the linkages between prolific offenders and repeat victimisation locations.

An Garda Síochána provides continued backup and assistance to Victim Support which has 17
branches throughout the country. This includes ongoing liaison with the Victim Support Office at
Dublin Region Headquarters, Harcourt Square to deal with tourists who became victims of crime.
The Superintendent at Community Relations is the liaison officer for An Garda Síochána with Victim
Support.

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10 Prepare for Commissioner becoming Accounting


and Officer for An Garda S’och‡na . . . and . . .
11. Further develop notional devolved budgeting and
improve purchasing policy and stock control
DŽan ullmhœch‡in le gur fŽidir leis an gCoimisinŽir a
bheith ina Oifigeach Cuntais don Gharda S’och‡na
. . . agus . . . DŽan forbairt ar bhuisŽadœ cineachta
barœlach agus cuir feabhas ar pholasa’ ceanna’ochta
agus rialœ stoic

The Director of Finance and his team have been appointed and his primary task is to put in place a
framework to facilitate the Commissioner becoming the Accounting Officer by January 1, 2002. The
report, An Garda Síochána Financial Management Framework, was presented in January 1999.
Devolved budgeting seminars were held throughout the country and significant progress was made
in devolved budgeting during 1999. Purchasing policy and stock control have been thoroughly over-
hauled and effective systems introduced.

12 Fine-tune the Human Resource Allocation Model


and with up to date data . . . and . . .
13. Assess resource allocation implications of new
programmes with all current resources
Mionchoigeartaigh An Mœnla Cionroinne Acmhainn’
Daonna le sonra’ suas chun d‡ta . . . agus . . .
DŽan measœnœ ar na himpleachta’ roinn acmhainn’
chomh fada agus a bhaineann sŽ le cl‡racha nua le
hacmhainn’ reatha ar fad
The Human Resource Allocation Model plays a vital role in the effective allocation of scarce
resources to areas of greatest need and the most up-to-date crime figures were factored in.

The Strategic Management Initiative Implementation Team has been tasked with developing a
model to improve resource allocation to provide an efficient and effective Garda service to the
public. This model is known by the acronym GERM, the Garda Establishment Redistribution Model.
During 1999, work continued on constructing GERM. This innovation will improve resource
allocation in the future. Activity Analysis in twenty selected Districts took place during 1999.
GERM is scheduled for completion by May, 2000. The differences between the Garda Human
Resource Allocation Model (GHRAM) and GERM are:

Garda Human Resource Allocation Model – GHRAM rda Síoch


The workload indicators in the present Garda Human Resource Model are: Ga á
n
na
A

1. Crime,
2. Unlawfully taken vehicles recovered,
3. Personal injury accidents and
io n
Po

4. Local authority housing level.


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The minimum establishment includes the district staff for:

• Number of Stations
• Hours Open
• Manning for one patrol car
• Clerk
• Collator
• Posts
• Specialist posts etc.

The Garda numbers indicated by adding the workload indicators and the minimum establishment,
together, determines the number of members of Garda rank needed in each Garda District. Usually
the number of Gardaí in each district is higher than the GHRAM recommended level because extra
personnel were allocated to deal with emerging policing priorities. Population was never in the
model because research showed that the workload indicators and minimum establishment and
special priorities led to an allocation that broadly reflected population levels.

GERM (Garda Establishment Redistribution Model)


The four workload indicators in GHRAM are inadequate to recognise the level of policing services
needed in each district and GERM is designed to give a more accurate reflection of Garda work in
each district. The Garda Establishment Redistribution Model is based on average times to investigate
crimes and provide a policing response such as

• Burglary,
• Patrolling,
• Accident investigation,
• Court attendance,
• and a wide range of other policing tasks.

Districts will be divided into Rural Districts, Mid-size Districts and City Districts with appropriate
manning levels. The improvement will be that manning levels will reflect policing needs more
accurately because it will include data on all the policing tasks which require attention. It is
customer-orientated and is future-proofed because new emerging policing tasks will be incorporated
into the model.

14. Review the Garda Building Programme in 1999


DŽan athbhreithniœ ar Chl‡r T—g‡la an Gharda
S’och‡na i 1999
The review of the Garda Building Programme was completed. Prioritising building and renovation
and other works has been devolved to regional and divisional level. The estimates submitted in 1999
sought a budget for 2000 for housing which was almost double the 1999 level and the allocation for
2000 included these increased resources.

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AN GARDA SêOCHçNA EVALUATION OF AN GARDA SêOCHçNA POLICING PLAN 1999

15. Analyse and act upon the drugs-crime relationship


large-scale survey, intensify proactive drugs misuse
policing and work with and continue to expand co-
operation with a wide range of appropriate communi-
ty, voluntary and other statutory agencies in fighting
drugs misuse
DŽan anail’s ar agus gn’omhaigh ar an suirbhŽ
m—rscala ar an gcoibhneas idir dhruga’ agus
choireacht, treisigh p—il’niœ ar mh’-œs‡id druga’
rŽamhghn’omhach agus oibrigh le agus lean ar
comhoibriœ a leathnœ le rŽimse leathan gn’omhair’
phobail, saor‡lacha agus reachtœla eile chun dul i
ngleic le m’-œs‡id druga’.
A comprehensive database incorporating intelligence gathered nationally and internationally has
been established by the Garda National Drugs Unit (GNDU). The major trafficking groups are
constantly being targeted and a number of prosecutions have been initiated against prominent
individuals within these groups. Since the formation of the GNDU, a number of significant
internationally driven seizures were made. The GNDU works closely with international agencies to
counter international drugs trafficking and has built up a professional network of contacts to
generate accurate drugs trafficking intelligence.

The GNDU in 1999 ran a series of seminars at regional level to ensure that members assigned to
talk to secondary school students and community groups are fully aware of all policy issues. The
programme includes material on drug identification, signs and symptoms of abuse, where abusers
can find help, international perspective, drugs misuse at rave discos, and other drugs misuse
information.

The Garda Schools Programme was extended to include a module on drugs awareness. Community
Relation Section has played a full part in community drugs awareness and special projects. 1999
saw a deepening of the community partnership against drugs. Coastal Watch continues to provide a
forum for acquiring the help and goodwill of the public residing and working in coastal areas to
prevent and detect the illegal importation of drugs, contraband and weapons. During 1999, Coastal
Watch encircled the entire seaboard of the State and Estuary Watch on the Shannon was added.

The Garda Research Unit in 1999 drew more results from the drugs-crime relationship study.

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16. Develop more proactive operations in respect of


street-level drug dealing and develop further demand
reduction initiatives
DŽan forbairt ar bhreis oibr’ochta’ rŽamhgh-
n’omhacha i leith mangaireacht druga’ ar an tsr‡id
agus dŽan forbairt ar bhreis tionscnaimh Žilimh lagh-
daithe
The end of 1999 was marked by planning a concerted nationwide drive against district-level drug
dealing for 2000 following successful operations in 1998 initiated to tackle street-level drug dealing
in the .ib.Dublin Region;Dublin Region. Successful operations continued in 1999 were:

• Operation Boulevard
• Operation Clean Streets

Operation Boulevard
Operation Boulevard continued in 1999 having been introduced in July 1997. The problems of
public order, drunkenness and drug abuse in O’Connell Street and its environs provided the focus of
the Operation. Initiated by the Dublin Metropolitan Region Headquarters, developed and
implemented by the North Central Division, it has given rise to continuing public confidence in the
safety and security of the city centre area.

Operation Clean Streets


Operation Clean Streets is a joint operation between Gardaí from the Dublin Metropolitan Region
and the Garda National Drugs Unit. It has a citywide focus targeting on-street drug dealers, using
undercover Gardaí. Regarded as extremely successful, one phase of this operation resulted in over
40 offenders being arrested and significant quantities of drugs being seized.

Operation Godfrey
Motor-cycles taken increased significantly in the Dublin Region and Operation Godfrey was
developed in response. All motor-cycles encountered at co-ordinated checkpoints in each Garda
division were thoroughly checked. Gardaí from the Stolen Vehicles Unit were available at each
Divisional Headquarters to assist as required. The first phase of the operation resulted in the
recovery of 27 stolen motor-cycles from 1,253 that were checked. The Operation has now been
adopted nationally.

Countering International Drugs Trafficking


In 1999, An Garda Síochána hosted exchange programmes in Sligo and Dublin for operational
police officers from many EU countries working in the drugs field, financed under the Oisin
programme. The Oisin programme continues to prove to be a particularly useful forum for
developing contacts between police officers within the participating countries. A number of
Memoranda of Understanding and international bilateral agreements on countering drugs trafficking
exist and the GNDU delivers the policing part of our international obligations in respect of these
agreements. The co-operation between An Garda Síochána and other agencies to reduce our
societal drugs menace has been excellent and An Garda Síochána pays tribute to a large range of
agencies, communities, groups, organisations, and people who have all worked tirelessly,
courageously and effectively to reduce our drug problem.

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17. Create new operations to counter crime against the


elderly
Cruthaigh oibr’ochta’ nua chun dul i ngleic le
coireacht i gcoinne seandaoine
New operations continued all over the country to increase Garda visibility on the ground and pre-
vent serious crimes in the regions concerned, especially by travelling criminals and attacks on the
elderly. New operations were implemented all over the country.

The focus of the operations includes monitoring the movements of travelling criminals and prevent-
ing attacks on the elderly particularly in the Southern, Western and Northern Regions. Intensive
crime patrolling takes place across Districts, Divisions and Regions co-ordinated by Regional
Commissioners. These initiatives provide a high visibility Garda presence in the Regions and help in
crime prevention generally.

18. Further develop the Air Support Unit


DŽan forbairt n’os m— ar an Aonad Aerthaca’ochta

The Garda Air Support Unit (GASU) became fully operational in September 1997. The unit has a
personnel complement of fifteen trained Garda Observers and nine pilots, seconded from the Irish
Air Corps. The unit provides air support for the Garda service nation-wide over a twenty four-hour
period. The unit operates from Baldonnell Aerodrome and comprises a twin-engine fixed wing
plane, a BN2TS Defender 4000 and a twin-engine helicopter, a Squirrel AS355N. The unit is now
equipped to the highest international spec.

The Garda Air Support Unit is deployed on those tasks where it is considered air support is required
and can be provided. Without the existence of the unit, with their prompt response and high level of
expertise, the number of arrests made at crime scenes would be considerably reduced. During 1999
the unit developed professionally into a very effective support unit and the selection, specification,
equipment specification, and purchase sanction for an additional helicopter was another highlight of
the year.

Two 1999 examples of the expanding role and operational expertise of the GASU are:

1. Fingal Council Officials were brought up by the Garda Air Support Unit to see the extent of the
traffic problems from the air. Videos were then taken of the problem areas and were later viewed
in consultation with the Gardaí and new slip roads are being constructed to provide better traffic
flow.

2. A number of travelling criminals who were responsible for a spate of crimes in Mayo Division
were arrested. The arrests were effected by the Garda Air Support Unit following the effective
communication of information and interception/pursuit of suspects by Mayo Gardaí on Operation
Iarthair and local Mayo District Patrol crews.

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19. Facilitate the introduction of a Police Foundation


ƒascaigh tœs a chur leis An Foras P—il’neachta

A draft constitution and framework for a Police Foundation has been prepared to assist the
introduction of a Police Foundation. During 1999 further work continued on researching and
assessing the setting up of the Foundation.

20. Introduce a Garda Mounted Unit


Cuir tœs le Marcaonad an Gharda S’och‡na

In 1998 the Garda Mounted Unit was launched. The Unit is based at Áras an Uchtarán and consists
of nine Gardaí and eight horses. The unit perform regular patrols in Dublin and at major events
nation-wide. The unit attracts widespread interest from all sections of the community and is a
valuable resource in providing a high visibility policing service to the public. The Irish Draught
Horse Association generously presented the unit with an Irish draught gelding. Mounted unit
members have gained training qualifications in the UK and with the NYPD and plan to learn from
the expertise of the Mounted Unit of the Hungarian National Police in 2000.

21. The Garda Water Unit


Aonad Uisce an Gharda S’och‡na

A suitable craft was purchased during 1999 and the new boat – a TARGA 31 and will be delivered
and made operational in 2000. The unit will be based on the river Shannon and will be staffed by
members of the Water Unit and personnel from the Western Region.

22. Assist the National Crime Council and the Crime


Forum
Cuidigh leis an gComhairle N‡isiœnta Coireachta agus
le F—ram na Coireachta
Deputy Commissioner Peter Fitzgerald represented An Garda Síochána at the National Crime
Council and Assistant Commissioner Joseph Egan represented an Garda Síochána at the National
Crime Forum. They assisted both bodies in their 1999 deliberations.

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23. Deliver the objectives of the Department of JELR


Strategy Statement 1998-2000
Seachadaigh cusp—ir’ an Gharda de chuid R‡iteas
StraitŽiseach na Roinne Dl’ agus Cirt,
Comhionnannais agus Athch—irithe Dl’ 1998-2000

Contained in the Equality and Law Reform Strategy Statement 1998 - 2000 are five objectives
relating to An Garda Síochána. They are:

Objective 15 Ensure that An Garda Síochána is adequately resourced in terms of manpower and
equipment to address their mandate in an efficient and effective manner.
An Garda Síochána contributes to this objective by maintaining a properly managed and efficient
transport fleet including specialist support needs and by developing cost effective CCTV monitoring.
The Garda Síochána College training intake has been geared up to meet the Government’s target of
12,000 Gardaí by 2002.

Objective 16 Develop and implement the programme for change arising from the
recommendations of the Report of the Steering Group on the Efficiency and
Effectiveness of the Garda Síochána.
The “Bottom-up” review continued throughout 1999. This will lead to revised operational
and organisational structure for An Garda Síochána resulting in increased efficiency and
effectiveness. Progress is reported on civilianisation, rostering, customer quality service, and IT
PULSE implementation. Progress on the 15 projects is shown at p.20.

Objective 17 Provide An Garda Síochána with modern integrated IT systems to enhance the
efficiency of the Force.
Full implementation of the Garda IT plan is continuing with phased PULSE Project roll-outs and
1999 saw the successful system changeover with no Y2K problems.

Objective 18 Provision of suitable offices and premises for An Garda Síochána.


The review of the Garda Building Programme was completed. Prioritising building and renovation
and other works has been devolved to regional and divisional level. The estimates submitted in 1999
included a budget for 2000 for housing which was almost double the 1999 level and the allocation
for 2000 included these increased resources.

Objective 19 Contribute as part of the international community to maintaining peace in


countries facing civil strife and disorder.
An Garda Síochána continues to play an active role in several peacekeeping missions with the UN
and OSCE.

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24. Complete a new programme of weapons and


explosives searches
Cr’ochnaigh cl‡r nua cuardacha airm agus plŽasc‡in

The number of searches carried out under Section 29 of the Offences Against the State Act, 1939
during 1999 was 529.

Main Search Operations


• Despite the calling of a cease-fire by the PIRA from 20th July 1997, 1998 saw the emergence of a
new dissident republican terrorist organisation known as the “Real IRA”. In 1998 An Garda
Síochána had several successes against this group, thwarting several bombs and effecting many
arrests. This level of success was maintained in 1999. The most notable search success in 1999
was the discovery of a training bunker at Stamullen, Co. Meath. Ten persons were arrested on
site. The operations against dissidents will continue.

• Another intensive operation in Wexford/Wicklow division, “Operation Blackwater” targeted


dissident Republicans. During the operation a significant arms find included a home made rocket
launcher, ammunition for a Barrett Light Fifty heavy rifle, two pounds of Semtex, three hand guns
and ammunition, plastic tubing, fittings for a rocket launcher and diagrams for a rocket launcher.
A man arrested was subsequently charged.

Table 4: Breakdown of Searches

Breakdown of Searches

Section 29 1/11/94 – 1/11/95 – 1/11/96 – 1/11/97 – 1999


Searches 31/10/95 31/10/96 31/10/97 31/10/98
TOTAL 373 671 828 635 529

Handguns Seized 1995-1999


121 handguns were seized in the State in 1999, 36 more than 1998 (See p. 11 for comparison with
earlier years) and the highest figure over the past five years. This reflects improvements
in intelligence gathering and a great deal of hard work by dedicated search teams.

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25. Further develop the Criminal Assets Bureau to


counter organised crime
DŽan forbairt n’os m— ar an mBiœr— um Sh—cmhainn’
Coiriœla le dul i ngleic le coireacht eagraithe

1999 has been the Bureau’s most successful year to date when its full functionality played a major
role in a large range of high-profile investigations and its expertise and talented Garda, multi-agency
and legal team were the catalyst in bringing to justice some of the key criminals involved in
organised crime and drug trafficking.

The Criminal Assets Bureau draws together representatives from the Garda Síochána, Revenue
Commissioners, (both Inland Revenue and Customs Services), and the Department of Social
Community and Family Affairs, under the control of a Garda Chief Superintendent. In general, the
Bureau adopts a proactive approach in the gathering of intelligence and information on known
criminals who are believed to be major players in drugs and serious crime in this jurisdiction.
Therefore, the intelligence gathering mechanisms of all the agencies involved are being optimised
through this multi-agency approach.

The development of the concept of inter-agency co-operation has been a feature of the Garda
approach over the past number of years in tackling various social problems.
The strength of the bureau was increased in 1998 to meet its increased workload and it hosted a
major international conference in 1999 on the restraint, tracing and seizure of illegal assets.

The Criminal Assets Bureau was formed on 31 July 1996. The core objectives of the Bureau as set
out in the Criminal Assets Bureau Act 1996 are:
1. the identification of the assets of persons which derive or are suspected to derive, directly or
indirectly, from criminal activity;
2. the taking of appropriate action under the law to deprive or to deny those persons of the assets or
the benefit of such assets, in whole or in part, as may be appropriate; and
3. the pursuit of any investigation or the doing of any preparatory work in relation to any
proceedings arising from the objectives mentioned in paragraphs (1) and (2).

The Bureau has identified appropriate areas for action. A proactive multi-agency approach
is being pursued with the gathering of intelligence and information on known criminals who are
regarded as major players in drugs trafficking and other serious crime in the State.

The creation of the Criminal Assets Bureau as an operational unit within the structures of An Garda
Síochána constitutes a significant re-focusing of operational methods in dealing with criminals
engaged in the illicit drugs trade and serious crime. The Bureau has been
extremely effective to date in the battle against organised crime and public confidence in the ability
of the Gardaí to tackle major criminals has been greatly increased.
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26. Support the Government's Road Safety Strategy,


improve road safety with the Garda National Traffic
Bureau, and further improve road safety with more
Gatso Speeding Detection Systems and fixed
cameras
Tabhair taca’ocht do StraitŽis an Rialtais um
Sh‡bh‡ilteacht ar an mB—thair, cuir feabhas ar
sh‡bh‡ilteacht ar an mb—thair le Biœr— N‡isiœnta
Tr‡chta an Gharda S’och‡na, agus cuir feabhas n’os
m— ar sh‡bh‡ilteacht ar an mb—thair le breis C—rais
Braite Luas Gatso agus ceamara’ socraith

Garda National Traffic Bureau


In July 1997, the Garda National Traffic Bureau was established. The primary responsibility of the
Bureau is the proactive formulation of policy to reduce deaths and road accidents and to monitor
nationwide enforcement levels. Performance criteria have been identified and are reviewed each
year and changed when the need arises. The enforcement of Road Traffic legislation continued to be
given a higher priority in 1999 by Traffic Units and other uniform members. The fine on the spot
system was extended to cover speeding offences. A total of 178,009 speeding fines on the spot were
issued in 1999 compared to131,931 in 1998 and 71,337 for 1997. The increased use of this system
has resulted in a significant reduction in the amount of time Gardaí spend in court.

Analysis of data in relation to traffic accidents throughout the country highlighted the need to target
particular road traffic offences during the year. The data illustrated that speed, not
wearing seat belts, drunk driving and dangerous driving were key factors in many fatal road traffic
accidents.

Operation Lifesaver
Operation Lifesaver was initially launched in to provide a Garda response to these issues. There are
four key offences prioritised for enforcement;
• Exceeding the speed limit;
• Non-wearing of seat belts;
• Drunk driving;
• Dangerous driving.

Operation Lifesaver has attracted considerable media attention and has been received very
favourably by the public. Prior to Operation Lifesaver road deaths had been increasing. From its
launch date road deaths started falling and were down 12 per cent at the end of 1999 compared to
1997. Patrolling schedules have been drawn up in all Garda divisions to ensure that there is high
visibility patrolling and specific static detection time on selected routes.

In addition to improvements in enforcement and education an improvement in the environment of


road users is seen as a major factor in reducing the number of accidents and deaths on the road. An
Garda Síochána has continued to identify the problem areas on our roads and to report them to the
relevant local authorities; in particular where such problems are the cause of road accidents. The

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completion of Form C(T) 68 in respect of each traffic accident which comes to the notice of the
Garda, a copy of which is transmitted to the relevant local authority, provides them with valuable
information on the condition of roads.

The GATSO mobile speed detection system has been in operation in the Dublin Region and on the
periphery of the Dublin Region. It has also been used in different Garda divisions to deal with
speeding problems in particular areas. The Judiciary have been briefed on it’s use. The GATSO
System resulted in 16,870 prosecutions in 1998 and contributed to the massive increase in speeding
detections to 177,000 in 1999 when the number of GATSO mobile units was increased to five with
two in the Dublin Metropolitan Region and one in each of the Eastern, South Eastern and Southern
Regions. Additional speed meters were distributed during the period under review as well as new
laser speed meters.

A strong increase in enforcement of drunk driving legislation took place throughout the year.
A total of 8,757 blood and urine samples were forwarded to the Medical Bureau of Road Safety in
1998 – a 75% increase since 1995. The Garda Road Safety Initiative ran from July 1999 to
November 1999 and included Operations Belt Up, Check-up, Juggernaut and Fare.

These (overleaf) are the results from each operation.

Operation Belt-Up
Checkpoints Traffic Unit PSVIs Seat Belt Seat Belt Other
Members Offences FOTS Offences
1761 511 13 11116 5755 8530

Operation Check-Up
Checkpoints Traffic PSVIs Vehicle FOTS Other Seized
Members Offences Offences
1757 443 43 12396 4000 3970 87

Operation Juggernaut
Checkpoints Traffic PSVIs Vehicles Vehicle FOTS Other Seized
Members examined Offences Offences
1034 540 72 15588 12803 2344 4115 122

Operation Fare
Checkpoints Traffic PSVIs Vehicles FOTS PSV Other Seized
Members examined Offences Offences
1176 478 59 12922 1796 632 4023 69
Note: PSV means Public Service Vehicle (taxis, buses mainly). FOTS means fine on the spot notices.

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27. Recreate and recycle successful operations such as


Dochas and Freeflow
Athchruthaigh agus athchœrs‡il oibr’ochta’ rathœla
cosœil le D—chas agus Freeflow

Operation Dóchas
Operation Dóchas commenced in the Dublin Region in October 1996 and continued into 1998 and
1999. The primary objective of the operation is to make substantial inroads into the drug problem
in Dublin through the identification of the critical areas requiring action and the deployment of
Gardaí solely to the operation in those communities. The initiative operates through an overt Garda
presence in these communities and through intelligence driven operations against those people
engaged in illegal drug activity. An underlying principle of Operation Dochas is to attract the
support and assistance of members of the community and engage their participation as a positive
contribution to reducing drug activity in their communities. With the success of Operation
Boulevard and Operation Clean Streets Operation Dochas is under review.

Operation Freeflow and Clearway


Operation Freeflow was introduced in 1996 and has continued in 1998 and 1999. Operation
Freeflow operates at Christmas time and becomes Operation Clearway for the rest of the year. The
aim of the Operation is to target the routes and driving behaviour which contributed most to traffic
congestion throughout the Dublin Region. Resources allocated to the operation were increased
significantly over the Christmas period to cater for the traditional increase in traffic volumes at this
time of year. Garda corporate strategy now seeks out radical new ways of improving traffic flow.

Through Operations Boulevard, Clean Street, Godfrey, Lifesaver, Belt-up, Check-up, Fare, Juggernaut,
Blackwater, Shamrock and a range of other divisional, regional and national operations An Garda
Síochána has shown it has the capacity and ability to respond quickly to any emerging policing
problem.

28. Complete and evaluate the NOW Project


Cr’ochnaigh agus dŽan meast—ireacht ar
Thionscnaimh um Deiseanna Nua do Mhn‡

The NOW (New Opportunities for Women) initiative was funded by the European Union in
partnership with each Member State and aims to promote equal opportunities for women in
vocational training and employment. The first NOW project was completed in 1997. A second
NOW project for An Garda Síochána was approved for 1998 and 1999. Training programmes were
developed for three target groups – managers, trainers, and women – and were delivered over the
project period through a series of one and two day seminars. The project raised awareness of all
members of An Garda Síochána in relation to equality matters, set standards and contributed to
appropriate policy reassessment.

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29. PULSE Project: complete the yearly programme


segment and enhance the IT system
Tionscnamh PULSE: Cr’ochnaigh an teasc‡n chl‡r
bliantiœil agus dŽan maisiœ ar an gc—ras
Teicneola’ocht an Eolais

The PULSE (Police Using Leading Systems Effectively) project included the development of a Garda
Central Records System to replace the existing Garda mainframe systems. Year one was completed
in September 1997 and phased roll-outs continued in 1998 and 1999.

During 1999 part of the PULSE team was dedicated to avoiding Y2K problems. All Garda stations in
the DMR and Divisional and District headquarters stations outside the Dublin Region are linked
through Wide Area and Local Area networks using micro-computer equipment. All members of An
Garda Síochána have viewed the PULSE video, received the PULSE information booklets and a
survey of PULSE readiness has been carried out in all Garda divisions.

Additional Garda and Civilian personnel were appointed to the Information Technology Division
during 1998 and 1999 to progress the IT PULSE Project in accordance with the terms of the contract.
Over one hundred personnel are now assigned full time to the PULSE project. Third level IT and
management courses were also provided in 1999.

30. Improve the radio system for the Dublin Region


Cuir feabhas ar an gc—ras raidi— do RŽigiœ
œn ‡tha Cliath

A case was submitted to Government for the replacement of the present insecure system and the
Government announced in 1998 that a TETRA system would be provided in Ireland. Detailed
planning and specification for the TETRA secure radio system continued during 1999. This
paralleled developments in Europe where police and emergency services were preparing TETRA
system projects. This development is for the entire country and has superceded the planned Dublin
Region system.

The system will take a number of years to install but when it is up and running the Gardaí and
emergency services in Ireland will have a secure service with vastly improved connectivity. It will be
possible for Gardaí in Kerry to talk to Gardaí in Donegal and, in future, for Gardaí in Athlone to talk
to police anywhere in Europe who have a TETRA system. The planned pilot for the TETRA system
will be in the Dublin Region.

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31. Develop a BA in Police Management at the Garda


S’och‡na College and contribute to an IPA Criminal
Justice Management MA
DŽan forbairt ar BhaitsilŽir Eala’ne i
mBainisteoireacht P—il’neachta I gCol‡iste an Gharda
S’och‡na agus cuir le M‡istir Eala’ona i mBainist’ocht
Ceartas Coiriœ
œil de chuid an Fhoras Riarach‡in

BA in Police Management
The Garda Síochána College was awarded a Certificate of Course Approval for the Bachelor of Arts
Degree in Police Management by the National Council for Educational Awards (NCEA) in December
1996. The BA Degree course is designed to focus on management practices within the Garda
organisation with particular emphasis on strategic management practice. It is available to
Superintendents, Chief Superintendents and to Officers who hold more senior management
positions within the service. At the end of 1999, 18 course participants completed the Core Module
of the course and will graduate in June 2000. Another 15 will participate in the core module in
2000.

The Foundation Module was introduced in September 1999. Applications procedures were
prepared for participants to commence the course at the Foundation Module stage. Applications for
entry to the Core Module in 1999 were invited and accepted. From September 1999, the Foundation
and Core Modules were conducted in accordance with an academic calendar with 15 to18
participants on each module. 18 BA Degree graduates per year are planned from the year 2000.

IPA MA in Criminal Justice Management


Proposals for the IPA Criminal Justice Management MA were developed further in 1999. An Garda
Síochána College and the IPA have prepared a programme which is very strongly policing-
orientated. The position at the end of 1999 is that an MA Criminal Justice Management is likely to
start in September 2001 and it will be jointly conducted by the Garda Síochána College and the IPA.

32. Examine the reward structure of the service


Scrœ
œdaigh struchtœ
œr luach saothair na seirbh’se

The examination of the reward structure was completed by the Garda Research Unit late in 1999. It
recommended a range of reforms which are being considered for implementation.

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33. Increase training intake and civilian intake


MŽadaigh ar glacadh isteach na hoiliœ œna agus
glacadh isteach na sibhialtaigh

Civilianisation
At the start of 1999, there were 1739 civilians employed in full and part time capacities providing
necessary support services for An Garda Síochána. There are 774 civilian clerical/administrative
personnel. In 1999 it was also planned to recruit civilian financial managers, call takers,
photographers and drivers. In addition to 774 civilian clerical/administration staff, there are a
number of civilian personnel employed by An Garda Síochána:
• 39 in specialist areas, such as information technology, accountancy, research, nursing, teaching,
etc
• 150 full time general operatives, services attendants, storemen and cleaners.
• 626 part-time cleaners and service attendants.
• 150 Traffic Wardens.

The Garda SMI Implementation Team identified over 600 posts which could be civilianised. The
eventual extent of this civilianisation will depend on negotiations with staff, top Garda management
decisions, and provision by the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform.

Recruitment intake
In 1999, 550 Trainee Gardaí – 180 women and 370 men – were admitted to the Garda Síochána
College in four groups in January, April, July and October. In March 1999 a new Garda trainee
competition was announced by the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform. A total of 9,000
application forms and information packs were issued by the Admissions and Appointments Office,
HRMR Branch. Of this number, 5,287 candidates lodged application forms with the Civil Service
Commission.

The written tests for Garda applicants were held in September and 1770 were placed as a result of
which 250 were interviewed and selected before the end of 1999. The number of applicants in 1998
and 1999, 6,399 and 5,287 show a high degree of interest in a career in An Garda Síochána during
a labour shortage when prospective employees can be very choosey. Twenty technicians were also
recruited. An Garda Síochána is a very attractive employment destination with a retention rate of 99
per cent. Less than one per cent of our workforce leave before retirement. (Source: Communiqué,
forthcoming)

34. Open a web site


Oscail l‡ithre‡n grŽas‡in

Since the summer of 1998 a Garda internet web site has been available. The site is updated and
monitored by the Garda Press Office and its scope and usefulness was expanded during 1999. The
technical support is provided by the Garda IT Section. The site can be located on the web at
www.garda.ie. The McCabe Fellowship funded a staff member at John Jay College NY to look at
NYPD web site design, construction, and maintenance.

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35. Emerging issues in 1999 Ð Human Rights Initiative


Saincheisteanna at‡ ag teacht chun solais i 1999

During 1999 net inward migration increased considerably and Irish demographics became more
multicultural. An Garda Síochána responded appropriately by examining best practice, adapting our
training, by creating a more inclusive culture in the organisation and by including principles of
partnership, inclusivity, respect, values, behaviour standards and individual rights in the Garda
Corporate Strategy 2000 – 2004 and in our Annual Policing Plan 2000. The depth of the work we
have done in respecting individual rights includes:

Achievements of the Garda Human Rights Initiative in 1999


• In October 1999 the Commissioner of An Garda Siochana, Mr. Patrick Byrne, launched the
Garda Siochana Human Rights Initiative.
• The initiative is steered by a Working Group of six under the chairmanship of Superintendent P.
V. Murphy, Promotion School, Garda Síochána College.
• The programme stems from a special Council of Europe programme entitled 'Police and Human
Rights 1997-2000' which aims to create an awareness of human rights within
European police services and to challenge police authorities to initiate activities which promote
the protection of human rights.
• The Human Rights Initiative essentially focuses on three main tasks:
(i) The establishment of strong professional and cooperative links between the Human Rights
Initiative and other national and international human rights experts.
(ii) The development of an ethos of partnership and consultation and the application of a
consultative approach to all strands of the action plan.
(iii) Implementation of the action plan.
• In November 1999 the working group was extended to include experts from Amnesty
International, the Centre for Criminal Justice, University of Limerick. The Human Rights Equality
Centre (University of Ulster) will act in an advisory capacity.
• A Garda Human Rights Office was established at the Garda College, Templemore.
• A Garda member was appointed full time coordinator of the programme.
• A subgroup of the human rights working group was set up to examine and develop
training/education and evaluation materials to provide human rights training programmes to all
sections of An Garda Síochána.
• Public invitations were issued through the national newspapers for submissions to the programme
on human rights and policing.
• In December 1999 work began on all aspects of the action plan, in particular in relation to the
training programme, the series of outreach discussion groups, and the conference on Policing and
Human Rights which is scheduled for Autumn 2000.
• Strong professional contacts were established with national and international human rights
organisations.

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EASTERN REGION
1999 HIGHLIGHTS: EASTERN GARDA DIVISIONS
RÉIGIÚN AN OIRTHIR

Carlow/Kildare
• Crime was down five per cent with only one serious case of crime against the elderly in 1999
which was detected.
• Fatal road accidents went up from 29 to 31 in 1999.
• Major events policed during 1999: Event Days Crowd
Irish Masters Snooker In Goffs 4 days 20,000
Punchestown Racing Festival 4 days 87,000
Derby Racing Festival 3 days 60,000
European Open Golf 4 days 75,000
• Twelve people representing various groups in the Division were nominated to the Divisional
Quality Service Panel.
• The Division provided data to the Garda Research Unit for research on rape victimisation.
• A high number of detections were made for speeding and drunken driving as part of
high visibility policing in Operation “Lifesaver” and Operation “Eagle”. The GATSO
van was used particularly in accident blackspots. A new unique computer system was designed
and developed in the division to record fines on the spot more efficiently. Carlow/Kildare are the
leaders in this design and implementation and other divisions are anxious to copy this system.
• A new phone system was installed in all the major stations and the division is in the top bracket
for speed of answering and identifying the station.
• Carlow/Kildare worked on devolved budgeting and have all budgeting accounts for
1999 available as required.
• Drug units are operating in Naas, Newbridge and Carlow with good success rates.
• The Divisional Search Team was called out 24 times in 1999 mainly for missing persons.
• The division suffers from residential expansion by metropolitan overspill from the Dublin region.

Laois/Offaly
• Counter telephone call service was improved and recent stickers for telephones will help improve
it further.
• The “ Slí Eile” Project includes Tullamore and Clara in a More Effective Partnership Against Crime
and is funded by the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform. The key objectives of the
project were youth orientated:
(1) To target young people who are already involved with Gardaí or Probation rda Síoch
Ga á
Services – particularly homelessness. n
na
A

(2) To raise confidence and self-esteem – to allow them to develop their


own sense of personal responsibility.
io n

(3) To identify and help young people at risk


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(4) To promote positive relationships with the Gardaí and


(5) To recruit and train locally based volunteers.
• High visibility and pro-active policing were a feature of 1999 policing performance.
• Patrolling and operation of checkpoints continue with new operations, particularly
Operation Night Fools.
• A Divisional Quality Service Customer Panel was launched.

Longford/Westmeath
• The number of burglaries went down by 2%.
• One drink outlet was closed as a result of a prosecution under the Licensing (Combating Drug
Abuse) Act, 1997.
• A Pilot Initiative for Early School Leavers at Longford is on the drawing board.
• The number of road fatalities was reduced by one from 14 to13 in 1999 and drunken driving and
speeding enforcement was significantly increased.
• Campus Watch was successfully launched at Athlone IT and plans were advanced for a Business
Watch Scheme in Athlone.
• Calling Cards were issued to all members in the Division, a Call Answering Service was provided
and a Divisional Customer Service Panel formed.

Louth/Meath
• The most notable search success in 1999 was the discovery of a training bunker at Stamullen, Co.
Meath. Ten persons were arrested on site. The operations against dissidents will continue.
• Recorded crime showed a further drop of 5% following a 6% decrease in 1998. Crimes against
the elderly were reduced.
• A drug unit has been established at Dundalk and continued co-operation between divisional
personnel and GNDU resulted in large drug seizures. Operation Clean Street has been brought to
provincial centres with success.
• A Divisional Customer Service Manager was appointed and a Divisional Customer User Group
was set up.
• CCTV installation plans for Dundalk Town were moved forward and sites for cameras have been
decided upon and the system will be in place during 2000.
• The Garda Research Unit was given assistance in research into rape and sexual assault.
• Meath Victim Support Branch was launched.
• Campus Watch was launched at Dundalk Institute of Technology.
• Operation Eagle was introduced over the Christmas period to target travelling criminals and
reduce the incidence of speeding and drunk driving. Operation Conifer in Navan/Kells and
Cavan/Monaghan counteracted attacks on the elderly and burglaries.
• There was a greater 1999 emphasis on Community Policing.
• Operation Lifesaver was expanded with GATSO equipment allocated, fixed cameras in
place and Traffic Corps fully committed to the Government Road Safety Strategy.
• Slane Concert was policed efficiently in both 1998 and 1999.
• Ashbourne District is now fully operational.
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AN GARDA SêOCHçNA EVALUATION OF AN GARDA SêOCHçNA POLICING PLAN 1999

DUBLIN METROPOLITAN REGION

1999 HIGHLIGHTS: DUBLIN GARDA DIVISIONS


RÉIGIÚN LIMISTÉAR CHATHAIR ÁTHA CLIATH

DMR East
• A Divisional Traffic Unit was launched on 4th December, 1998 with 2 Sergeants and 10 Gardaí –
1 high visibility 4WD vehicle, six high visibility motorcycles, one Tripod Mounted Laser Speed
Detection Device and two Hand Held Speed Detection Devices. During 1999 they had 30
drunken driving offences, 3000 speeding fine notices and 2000 fine notices for other offences.
The increased enforcement level contributed to a 1999 fall in fatal accidents from 13 to 6.
• Crime in the Division fell by 9% in 1997, by 20% in 1998 and by 8% in 1999. “Operation
Campfire” improved crime detection, recovered stolen property and gathered intelligence on
targeted groups involved in crime.
• Weekly Divisional Conferences with District Superintendents were a key resource in reducing
crime and road fatalities in 1999.
• The DMR East Devolved Budget Annual Report has been commended by Assistant Commissioner
FSCR as a model of how such annual reports should be produced. The weekly overtime report
which we prepare is useful to monitor how overtime is being expended and to take remedial
action in the event of overruns. This Division has had the lowest overrun in 1999 compared with
other Dublin Divisions.
• The Dunlaoghaire/Rathdown Drugs Task Force objectives are to deal with the drugs problem from
a supply and demand point of view.
• The Divisional Customer Panel met several times during 1999 as part of the Quality Service
Action Plan.

DMR North Central


• A complete list of elderly people is maintained by Community Police Sergeants and are visited
regularly. Community Policing is given a high profile. MOST and MATES Projects has been
implemented and the Millennium Watch Form was distributed to all elderly residents. All schools
have been visited. Areas not covered by Watch Schemes have been identified. Gardaí assigned
to these areas have met with local residents to try and initiate new schemes in the area.
• Contact has been made with the Association of Asylum Seekers and the Association of
Refugees/Asylum Seekers. Two Gardaí work with these organisations on a regular basis.
• The strength of the Community Policing Unit has been maintained at 4 Sergeants and 28 Gardaí
in the ‘U’ District. The Units implemented crime prevention plans in 1999 aimed at tackling
public order, vandalism, drug abuse etc.
• Personalised callbacks were increased with Community Gardaí making calls to victims of crime,
greater use of the services of Crime Prevention Officer, more developed liaison with Victim
Support and a direct referral mechanism with the Victim Support Office – with one hundred and
twenty referrals issued in 1999. Neighbourhood Policing members call to each victim and offer
whatever assistance is required. Victims, on enquiry, are informed of the up to date developments
and the present position of the investigation. During 1999 there were five cases of repeat
victimisation.
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AN GARDA SêOCHçNA EVALUATION OF AN GARDA SêOCHçNA POLICING PLAN 1999

• In 1999 areas not covered by Neighbourhood Watch were identified. Seville Place/ Sheriff Street
were selected for the next Neighbourhood Watch, and, for 2000, apartment blocks not covered
by Community Police beats will be considered. Steps to improve the security of the elderly and
identify areas badly affected by graffiti were taken.
• Crime for 1999 decreased by 17 per cent – and the detection rate stands at 42 per cent, a rate
twice as high as the US rate and very high for a city centre division.
• The telephone survey indicated a good response overall from the Division on telephone
answering. A survey was carried out in Store Street between 1st and 15th August, 1999 to
establish the number of telephone calls highlighting the busy periods in a 24 hour cycle and
identifying areas where problems arose, to improve our service further in 2000. A queuing system
at Store Street has worked very successfully with callers being dealt with in privacy and a new
information rack and standard forms has also helped.
• A list of 100 active criminals was compiled and sent to the District service to target prolific
offenders. Increased surveillance increased arrests of our most prolific criminals. The Crime Task
Force targeted disorder hotspots, targeted repeat offenders and focused on larceny from shops and
vehicle thefts.
• A library and index of policing articles and presentations has been established at the Divisional
Training Office in Store Street.
• The proactive drug policy was intensified and pubs and clubs targeted successfully. Improved
contact with statutory and voluntary agencies through
1. the integrated services process,
2. Drugs Task Force and projects operating in the area such as NCCCAP,
3. after schools project,
4. Sean McDermott Street and Sheriff Street Community Groups,
5. through Community Police Forum (at least one meeting with the community from each flats
complex/road/street),
6. and through a focus group meeting held at Store Street on 23/10/99 with representatives from
the four Community Police sectors.
Community representatives have given talks to Community Gardaí on 24/2/99 and 3/3/99.
• Nine members of the Drug Unit are now trained in relevant tactical skills. The seizures of drugs
in the Division were: Heroin 7.5kgs, Cocaine 0.9kgs, Cannabis 23kgs, Ecstasy 559 tablets,
Amphetamines 8kgs, LSD 34 Tabs. Operation Shamrock resulted in the seizure of 7 kilos of
Heroin and £80,000 in March. 159 persons were charged with supply/dealing offences – an
increase of 25% on 1998, up 90% on 1997. Two joint operations with Customs resulted in the
seizure of 5 kilos of cannabis and regular meetings are held with Revenue Commissioners, Social
Community & Family Affairs, Probation Service, and Dublin Corporation. Twenty members were
trained in the Divisional Search Team.
• The targeting of open street dealing by Drug Unit, CTF, and Community Gardaí has practically
eliminated the high profile nature of this activity and has resulted in a change of tactics by the
unit to police the more hidden dealing.
• A new pilot scheme for bench warrants had an excellent execution rate of 66% for 1999.

DMR North
• The Dublin Airport major emergency plan was completely updated in 1999.
• The fatal road accident rate was 11– the same as1998.

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AN GARDA SêOCHçNA EVALUATION OF AN GARDA SêOCHçNA POLICING PLAN 1999

• An anti-graffiti initiative to prevent damage to buses was organised jointly with Dublin Bus. Last
year was the first time Dublin Bus provided a service to Ballymun on Halloween after a joint
operation to prevent stone throwing and attacks on bus crews.
• New neighbourhood watch schemes were set up and old ones were reactivated.
• Operation scooter was put in place in the Kilmore area from 26th February, to 1st March with
excellent results.
• A Divisional Quality Manager, D/Inspector Murphy, was appointed.
• A new branch of Victim Support was launched in Santry District.The branch operating in the
Clontarf sub-district extended to the whole Raheny District.
• The division continues to have outstanding success with fingerprints submitted to AFIS – with the
highest hit rates in the country.
• Divisional Traffic Unit was set up in June 1999 and had the highest arrest rate in the city for drink
driving over the Christmas period and was complimented by the Regional Assistant
Commissioner.
• There was a 13% reduction in crime and an above average detection rate of 46%.
• Satisfaction with DMR North phone answering was 90.9 compared to 89.1 nationally.
• The Divisional Policing Plan reflects the views and ideas of all members on the ground including
civilian personnel, in this way there was more ownership of the local plans and a greater
commitment to its objectives. The overall assessment of the plan has shown that it works
extremely well.

DMR South Central


• Individual members have been complimented for the manner in which they dealt with various
crimes, problems, incidents and situations throughout 1999. Telephone answering skills have
been improved considerably, calling cards were issued to all stations for use by members at
crime/incident/traffic accident scenes, etc. and complaints to the Garda Síochána Complaints
Board in 1999 were reduced to 154 compared to 191 in 1998 – a reduction of 36 complaints.
• Crime in the Division was reduced by 9% in 1999 and the detection rate was improved by 5%.
This was mainly attributed to a special unit set up to target those committing crime on tourists.
Bord Fáilte reported six million visitors during 1999. Crime against tourists did not increase due
to a special unit which concentrated on crime against tourists during the months of May, June,
July, August, September and October.
• Two new business watch schemes were set up during 1999, the Community Policing Unit were
involved in a number of projects and initiatives during 1999, and made visits to senior citizens
residing in the Division.
• The pilot Policing Forum Initiative is at an advanced stage.
• Full use was made of new legislation for the detention of persons suspected to be involved in
crime and drugs. Operations “Clean Street”, “Rectify” and “Tap” targeted drug
dealers and drug users. In 1999 drugs with an estimated street value of rda Síoch
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£3.5 million were seized in the South Central Division.
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• Operation “Gladiator” successfully targeted brothels.


• The Victim Support Service was fully used.
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AN GARDA SêOCHçNA EVALUATION OF AN GARDA SêOCHçNA POLICING PLAN 1999

• Full advantage was taken of the CCTV cameras in Temple Bar and CCTV expansion is at an
advanced stage of installation.
• Fatal accidents in the Division in 1999 fell from 13 to 8, a decrease of 5. 352 were arrested for
drunken driving in 1999, compared with 323 in 1998 and road traffic operations implemented
during 1999 were Operation Juggernaut, Belt Up, Godfrey, Fare, and Operation Check Up.
• A Divisional Quality Service Customer Panel was launched – and a Divisional Customer Manager
was appointed.
• The introduction of PULSE is receiving the fullest co-operation.
• Three 1999 murders in the ‘A’ District and a fourth on the 27.12.98 had a high level of resources
devoted to clearing them up and the trial of four for the murder of Josie Dwyer in 1996 started in
October 1999.
• Major events to be policed in 1999 were a fireworks display on the river Liffey, nine full Rugby
Internationals, six full Soccer Internationals and two concerts at Lansdowne Road – and three
concerts in the RDS.
• Good progress was made during 1999 with outstanding detections and drug seizures and other
personal achievements by individual members – the Division was in a healthy state at the end of
1999.

DMR South
• The pilot scheme at Tallaght Garda Station to reduce complaints against members has been an
unqualified success with complaints down by 40%.
• Crime is down by 10% – the third year in a row to show a decrease in reported crime. The
detection rate for the Division is 35%.
• DMR South scored well in the phone survey on the aspects of identifications of Station and giving
the Garda’s name where it was the top Division in the country.
• Three meetings of the Divisional Customer Service Panel have been held.
• In keeping with the Victims Charter which was recently published by the Minister for Justice,
Equality & Law Reform, each operational Garda carries a name card so that victims of crime are
made aware of the name, telephone number and station of the investigating member.
• Traffic management is now a top priority keeping traffic flowing.
• A total of 5,440 speeding fine notices were issued, 733 summonses were applied for and drunk
driving arrests were made to improve road safety.
• The Integrated Services Project is now well established in West Tallaght with KEY and Deonach,
and a European Structural Funds Project in Jobstown.
• Community Policing has now been revamped with a full time unit of 1 Inspector, 4 Sergeants and
21 Gardaí allocated to the task. Already this initiative is paying dividends: an Inter-agency Action
Plan is being put in place with the first meeting due to take place in February 2000.
• The PULSE System is now working according to schedule. rda Síoch
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AN GARDA SêOCHçNA EVALUATION OF AN GARDA SêOCHçNA POLICING PLAN 1999

DMR West
• Community Gardaí have been assigned to town beats in Leixlip, Lucan, Neilstown, Liffey Valley
Shopping Centre, Blanchardstown Shopping Centre, Ladyswell, Drumheath, Corduff, Sheepmore
and smaller shopping centres in the Division.
• Each new estate when it is built and completed is visited by Community Gardaí and encouraged
to set in place Neighbourhood Watch Scheme. Community Gardaí perform a beat in Finglas
Village. The Community Gardaí are the visible part of our “Dochas” approach to drugs.
• The street value of drugs seized amounted to £4,513,740 consisting mainly of heroin and
Cannabis – and £140,500 cash. Operation Clean Street is used to target all drugs offenders and
small time sellers and distributors. An operation has been on-going in the past 12 months to
target the drug pushing in the Neilstown area. Drugs couriers were arrested and a large quantity
of drugs were recovered with a street value of £1,178,000. 134 houses were searched and 52
persons were charged with possession of drugs with intent to supply. Street dealing is more
prevalent in Ballyfermot sub-district.
• Operation Clean Street was used in April and June 1999 with positive results and 12 arrests.
In October Operation Lawns was initiated in Ballyfermot with these results
1. Possession, Section 23 MDA 233 Arrests.
2. Supply, Section 3 & 15 MDA 5 Arrests.
3. Public Order 25 Arrests.
In addition, 57 houses were searched, with 89 arrests and 20 people being charged and 27
summonsed.
• Consideration is being given to establishing a Garda First Point of Contact initiative with the
Eastern Regional Health Authority. This would involve assisting known drug users in seeking
rehabilitation assistance from the Health Authority. It would be primarily used where drug users
come into contact with the Gardaí for the first time.
• Council Officials were brought up by the Garda Air Support Unit to see traffic problems from the
air. Videos were then taken of the problem areas and later viewed in consultation with the
Gardaí. New slip roads are being put in place on the M50 and the Council will close the Oval
after Easter, 2000. This will help N4 traffic movement.
• Fatal accidents in Dublin West went down from 21 in 1997 to 17 in 1999 and the Divisional
Traffic Unit – two Sergeants and 10 Gardaí – seized close to 200 Section 41 vehicles; dangerous
and defective vehicles.
• Special operations such as “Fare”, “Juggernaut” and “Belt Up” reduced accidents and made buses
safer.
• Discussion Forums involving Dublin Corporation, Fingal Co. Council and elected representatives
now address local issues. GRAFT is still a very vital project in the community as is the Tower
Project in North Clondalkin. The WEB project ran in Blanchardstown – diverting young people
from crime – and the FAN project in Finglas South. Antisocial behaviour and disorder is now
being addressed through education as well as enforcement.
• A Divisional Quality Service Panel was set up with people from all walks of life. rda Síoch
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• The trial of Brian Meehan for the murder of Veronica Guerin concluded
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with his conviction and sentencing. John Gilligan was brought before
the Irish Courts.
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AN GARDA SêOCHçNA EVALUATION OF AN GARDA SêOCHçNA POLICING PLAN 1999

NOR
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1999 HIGHLIGHTS IN THE NORTHERN GARDA DIVISIONS.


RÉIGIÚN AN TUAISCIRT

Cavan/Monaghan
• During 1999 the division increased the level of Gardaí involved in crime prevention initiatives
and improved the service to the victims of crime.
• Drugs misuse problems were identified and a co-ordinated strategy in preventing and fighting
drugs misuse was developed. The Divisional Drugs Unit was further developed by training
additional members in surveillance and suspect handling and a preventative strategy to reduce
street drug dealing was implemented in 1999.
• Liaison with RUC on prolific offenders in each jurisdiction likely to offend in the other was
improved.
• Call cards for each member of the Division were issued.
• Financial structures were developed to monitor and control systems in the following areas,
1. Transport cost
2. Travelling expenses
3. Subsistance allowance
4. Electricity costs
5. Heating costs
6. Telephone costs.

Donegal
• Prolific offenders have been identified and targeted.
• The Division has a record of thorough enforcement of anti-drugs legislation with a
D/Superintendent appointed to co-ordinate all anti-drugs activities. A trained Divisional Drugs
Unit has been established who target known dealers particularly with overt operations where
dealing takes place. Known dealers are being stopped and searched on every occasion they are
suspected of being in possession of illegal substances.
• Each vulnerable elderly citizen is visited by members on patrol as a means of assuring them of a
Garda presence in their area.

Sligo/Leitrim
• 1999 has been an exceptional period with three murder investigations and six cases of rape and
with many members deployed on major investigations the detection rate of 35% shows a
decrease from the 1998 figures. The division had 14 fatal traffic accidents, an increase of 6 over
1998 figures. With Operation “Twilight” there were no attacks on the elderly
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during 1999 and divisional crime was at the same level as 1998. Ga á
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AN GARDA SêOCHçNA EVALUATION OF AN GARDA SêOCHçNA POLICING PLAN 1999

Divisional Drugs Seizures:


1998 – Total: 124
1999 – Total: 75
Street Value of Seizures:
1998 – Total: IR£ 26,583
1999 – Total: IR£537,320
Divisional Drug Enforcement Action 1999:
Arrests: 24
Seizures: 75
Personal Searches: 439
Search Warrants: 61

• The Division scored highly in the telephone answering survey with a high customer satisfaction
rating.
• The Divisional Quality Service Customer Panel is now in place and a Customer Charter is in
place in Sligo District.

SOUT
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1999 HIGHLIGHTS IN SOUTH EASTERN GARDA DIVISIONS.
RÉIGIÚN AN OIR-DHEISCIRT

Tipperary
• The detection rate for Tipperary Division stands at 58%, which is the second highest detection
rate in the country (jointly with Waterford/Kilkenny). The aim in the Divisional Policing Plan to
maintain a detection rate of 55% was achieved and exceeded.
• Crime in 1999 fell marginally after a 1998 fall of 10%. The recorded crime for 1999 stands at
1468, a reduction of 5 crimes.
• Road fatalities in the Division for 1999 totalled sixteen, a reduction of six on 1998. Drink
Driving, Speed and Safety Belt offences received attention during the year with increased
detections in all categories.
• In 1999, drugs prosecutions reached 102 compared to 117 for 1998.
• A major extension and refurbishment at Thurles Station was completed during the year and
improvement and maintenance at other stations is continuing.
• A personnel carrier issued to Clonmel in 1999 is effective in policing public disorder.

Waterford/Kilkenny
• The divisional Plan set a target of a 20% increase in detection and prosecution of illegal drug
offences. The number of seizures of illegal drugs increased from 465 in 1998 to 607 in
1999 – a 30% increase.
• Of even greater significance is the increase in dealing detections from 30 to 67 – an increase of
123%.

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AN GARDA SêOCHçNA EVALUATION OF AN GARDA SêOCHçNA POLICING PLAN 1999

• The crime detection rate in the Division continues very high – 57% in 1997, 60% in 1998 and
58% in 1999.
• Fatalities declined from 20 in 1998 to 15 in 1999, an additional Traffic Corps Unit of 1 and 3 was
established at Dungarvan and significant strides have been made in having a fully computerised
road traffic enforcement system. Serious injury casualties declined from 87 to 72 which is the
lowest on record. Serious injury casualties have almost halved since 1993 from 136 to 72 and
Operation “Blitz” was very successful.
Drunk Driving Arrests F.O.S. Speeding Summary Traffic Prosecutions
1998 463 8,544 18,768
1999 506 9,687 17,432
• The Waterford/Kilkenny Divisional Quality Service Panel is now in place.

Wexford/Wicklow
• Fatalities on the road dropped from 40 to 24 in 1999.
• Crime in early 1999 increased strongly with vacant holiday homes an easy target for criminals
during a time when increased resources were applied to the increase in asylum seekers at
Rosslare Port. The divisional crime prevention initiative, Operation Baseline, and the restructuring
of the Crime Unit in Wexford District proved effective in halting the increase in crime during the
rest of the year leaving a 10% overall crime increase for 1999.
• 1999 was marked by a number of notable successful drug seizures. A good working relationship
exists with Customs Officers at Rosslare. Indeed, one of the notable successes during the year
involved a drug seizure at Rosslare Port which was allowed to proceed in a controlled delivery to
Dublin involving Gardaí from Wexford Drugs Unit with the support of local Customs Officers
and Gardaí from the Garda National Drugs Unit. A number of drug dealers from the Dublin area
were arrested and will be appearing before the Courts. The Wexford Drugs Unit was established
and rotation of personnel on the unit generates healthy competition, particularly amongst the
younger members who would like to develop into these areas.
• Bree Community Alert won the Regional Chubb Award for the best overall Community Alert
Scheme in the South Eastern Region. A presentation involving some of the participants in the
Scheme and local Gardaí was held at Wexford Station.
• Two community relations projects from the Division were nominated for funding.
• The Port of Rosslare has witnessed a significant increase in the number of foreign nationals
seeking political asylum during the year. During 1999 a total of 698 persons at the Port sought
political asylum – an increase of 85% over 1998. In addition 100 other persons were refused
leave to land and returned to the country from which they came. Immigration duties continue to
impose a significant drain on resources with as many as nine sailings a day during the Summer
season. The possibility of installing CCTV at the Port is currently being examined.
• An intensive operation, “Operation Blackwater” targeted dissident Republicans. During the
operation a significant arms find included a home made rocket launcher, ammunition for a
Barrett Light Fifty heavy rifle, two pounds of Semtex, three hand guns and ammunition, plastic
tubing, fittings for a rocket launcher and diagrams for a rocket launcher. A man arrested was
subsequently charged.
• A two-day inter-agency co-operation seminar involving the Gardaí and the Health Board in
November 1999 in Wexford gave everyone a greater appreciation of each other’s role in helping
victims of sexual abuse and domestic violence and in providing a professional, more integrated
and supportive service.
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AN GARDA SêOCHçNA EVALUATION OF AN GARDA SêOCHçNA POLICING PLAN 1999

SOUT
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1999 HIGHLIGHTS FROM SOUTHERN DIVISIONS.


RÉIGIÚN AN DEISCIRT

Cork City
• Crime shows a decrease of 9% over 1998 figures.
• ‘Fast Tracking’ habitual criminals through the courts and the establishment of briefing stations in
each of the District HQ stations where quality-briefing packages were prepared daily contributed
strongly to reduced crime.
• The contract for the CCTV System for Cork City was awarded in November 1999 and the project
will commence in 2000.
• Resources to deal with public order problems were allocated and An Garda Síochána and Bus
Eireann worked closely to reduce public order problems associated with buses.
• A Victim Support study was completed and recommendations implemented.
• The Divisional Drugs Unit had drug seizures valued at £3.75 million during 1999. Interaction
with the SHB, an excellent partnership with GNDU, a close relationship with CAB, a successful
joint operation with Customs, obligations of nightclub under current legislation communicated to
them personally, 845 drugs possession prosecutions and 173 prosecutions for supplying marks
1999 as a high water mark in drugs enforcement in Cork City.
• Uniform personnel were rotated in operations to the Drug and Crime Units giving them valuable
operational experience in these areas.
• Public Order assaults were linked to late night drinking in night clubs but co-operation has been
forthcoming and a high level of inspections took place.
• Fatal accidents are down 3 on 1998 figures, 24,700 fine on the spot notices were issued for
speeding and other offences and 460 drunken drivers were arrested during 1999.
• Cork’s Operation Freeflow was continued throughout 1999 and ensured that traffic received
priority at peak times at important and high visibility junctions. This enhanced the public
perception of the Gardaí and resulted in a very positive response from the public in this area.
This successful operation will continue in 2000.
• The emergency plan incorporating the opening of the Lee Tunnel was completed in co-operation
the local authority and Southern Health Board.
• The Traffic Office is now dealing with monies in the region of £0.75m. – increased monies
received for on the spot fines. To ensure efficient handling of these monies an audit process is
now in operation.
• The First Phase Rollout of PULSE was progressed and made operational and a divisional
implementation plan put in place for training.
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• Cue Call, a new system, to answer and ensure quality response to telephone
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2000.
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AN GARDA SêOCHçNA EVALUATION OF AN GARDA SêOCHçNA POLICING PLAN 1999

• A 24-hr Garda presence to improve Garda response in Carrigaline, Douglas, Blackrock and
Bishopstown was achieved completely during 1999 with the help of additional personnel
allocated to the division in 1999.
• There is still a considerable amount of munitions available to subversive elements but the level of
their activity has dropped.

Cork North
• Two people less were killed on the roads of North Cork during 1999. In 1999, twenty people
died in 14 fatal accidents and twenty-two died in 18 fatal accidents in 1998.
• Crime in Cork North Division, Fermoy, Mallow, Midleton and down to Youghal, was 12 per cent
less in 1999 – down from 1610 in 1998 to 1415 in 1999. The detection rate for both years was
one of the highest in the country at 55 per cent.
• This reduction in crime follows from a broad range of Divisional anti-crime measures such as
regular crime conferences, increased training in incident room management, a Divisional Briefing
Package for all members, an increase in quality intelligence to Collators, a focused crime
prevention effort, increased training for Liaison Gardaí, more members trained in drugs
enforcement with the Cork Drug Squad, and major drug seizures at Araglen and Kilworth and
other seizures at Charleville, Rathcormac and Fermoy.

Cork West
• Road fatalities fell from 20 deaths in 1998 to 13 in 1999 based on a strongly increased
enforcement level: drunken driving detections went up from 65 in 1998 to 99 in 1999 and
speeding detection fine notices system rose from 2300 in 1998 to 3226 in 1999.
• Another major drugs importation seizure was made in 1999 at Schull in September. All vessels
moored and kept in the Division have now been registered on Garda files. The Inter-District
Drugs operation continued until the commencement of Operation “Long Nights” and had
successes in Bandon and Macroom resulting in the arrest of local drug dealers. Other notable
highlights to date this year have been the successful convictions of Michael Tune and John
O’Toole and the finding of 1,000 kilos of Cannabis in Naas.
• All PULSE timetables were adhered to during 1999.
• All Community Schemes were reviewed and are active and progressive.
• Crime went up by 4% in 1999 and only a few attacks on the elderly were committed and the
culprits were arrested for these. Crime had been increasing strongly by about 24 per cent in the
early part of the year but a very strong policing performance by the division reversed that trend
during the year and an eventual outurn of plus 4% was an excellent result.
• The core in-service training presentation was delivered to 88% of Gardaí in this Division during
1999 which signifies a good overall attendance for the In-Service programme. All probationer
Gardaí received quality training.

Kerry
• The divisional crime level was reduced by 6% and the divisional detection rate increased by 2%
and 1999 was marked by a number of very high profile and successful drug seizures and
convictions.
• The Divisional Investigation and Search Teams were updated.

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AN GARDA SêOCHçNA EVALUATION OF AN GARDA SêOCHçNA POLICING PLAN 1999

• Speeding notices issued increased by 58% and there was a 51% increase in Drunk Drivers
arrested – a very strong increase in enforcement level.
• High levels of satisfaction with telephone answering service were recorded in the phone survey
throughout the Division.
• A new Business Watch was set up in Castleisland and Campus Watch at Tralee RTC.
• Victim Support was initiated in Tralee and Killarney.
• There was no physical attack on the elderly in Kerry in 1999.
• Operation Deiscirt and Operation Longnights were designed to prevent serious recidivist activity,
burglary and crime against the elderly.
• Tenders for monitoring Tralee’s CCTV system were received.

Limerick
• Crime trends for 1999 show an overall reduction of 4% with Limerick City down 6%. Crime
blackspots and trends were targeted during the year.
• In the two City Districts Gardaí on beat and mobile patrols swept through estates and black spot
areas at irregular intervals and received a favourable public response where the patrols;
1. Fostered public confidence.
2. Prevented crime.
3. Had the desired effect on road users.
• A Community Policing Sergeant was appointed in Limerick to co-ordinate Community Gardaí
working in the City.
• Specifications for CCTV in Limerick City Centre were addressed in 1999.
• The division had 22 fatal traffic accidents in 1999 – one more than in 1998.
• The Limerick Garda Quality Service Panel was set up and
• Victim support achieved a marked increase in support given – thanks to the Liaison Inspector.

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AN GARDA SêOCHçNA EVALUATION OF AN GARDA SêOCHçNA POLICING PLAN 1999

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1999 HIGHLIGHTS FROM WESTERN DIVISIONS.
RÉIGIÚN AN IARTHAIR

Clare
• Divisional crime fell by 18% during 1999, down from 1,101 crimes in 1998 to 901 crimes in
1999.
• The Ennis Branch of Victim Support was established during 1999.
• A Divisional Customer Panel for Quality Service was established and satisfaction with how phone
queries were handled in Clare was 90%, higher than the average of 89.1%
• Operation Cuairteoirí, set up for the Summer period, was successful in combating tourist related
crime.
• Mobile crime patrols countered travelling criminals and Operation Iarthair ran from 18th
November (scheduled to end on the 17th January 2000) proved to be effective.
• Operation Rees consisted of members from the Clare Division, the Garda National Drug Unit and
the Criminal Assets Bureau. This was set up with a clear target and a clear objective. There has
been a sustained enforcement of the Misuse of Drugs Act and the unit has targeted big drug
dealers.
• Co-operation was high between Clare and neighbouring divisions. This was highlighted during
December following the murder of Christopher Cybulla in Newport, Co Tipperary (Clare
Division).
• The Major Accident Plan was updated in 1999.
• An unmarked Camera Car was put in use by the Divisional Traffic Corps who continue to have a
high return of Fines on the Spot for Speeding Offences. Nine were killed on the roads in the
Division, an increase of two over 1998.

Galway West
• Crime in Galway West was down by 1 per cent in 1999, down from 2226 to 2193, up marginally
in Galway City and down in rural Galway districts. Thefts from cars were prioritised.
• An improved call-back system for victims was introduced.
• The Divisional Drugs Unit was expanded, and more than doubled in size.
• High-profile patrols of estates were introduced.
• Operation Fionn successfully targeted those who prey on the elderly.
• Road accident fatalities, at 18, were the same as 1998 and 64 people were seriously injured
compared to 63 in 1998. Road accidents in the division increased by close to 25 per cent and
the fact that neither fatalities nor seriously injured numbers reflect that increase is down to a
focused and increased speeding and traffic enforcement effort in the division and
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• Neighbourhood Watches increased by four to 89 and Community Alert


increased by three to 62. Four Business Watches (One new) now cover
Galway, Loughrea and Clifden.
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• Galway West excelled with the highest satisfaction rating in the country
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AN GARDA SêOCHçNA EVALUATION OF AN GARDA SêOCHçNA POLICING PLAN 1999

Mayo
• A number of travelling criminals who were responsible for a spate of crimes in the Division were
arrested. The arrests were effected by the Garda Air Support Unit following the effective
communication of information and interception/pursuit of suspects by members on Operation
Iarthair and local District Patrol crews.
• An Intoxiliser Machine was put in use in 1999 and training was provided. It is proving successful
and has overcome the difficulties of getting the services of a doctor during the night hours in
some Districts.
• Mayo Division featured highly in the recent Garda Quality Bureau Report on the Telephone
Survey. A standardised telephone answering procedure has been introduced and stickers with the
procedures are on all phones.
• Mayo Gardaí were highly complimented for the way they operated the Major Emergency Plan at
Belmullet on 1/4/99.
• Referrals to Victim Support have increased but there is still room for improvement.
• A Fraud Seminar was organised during 1999 for business owners and banks.
• Public order patrols were introduced with the local Districts and Chief Fire Officer.
• The Divisional Investigation Teams were successful arresting and bringing to justice two members
of a gang who were responsible for at least thirty crimes in the Division.
• Full use is being made of the 4 X 4 Isusu Jeep with operations throughout the Division such as
Operation Fionn and Iarthair, Operations Belt Up, Fare and Juggernaut. Operation Fionn and
Iarthair proved effective in curbing attacks on the elderly.
• One Garda is being detailed for Patrol Car during day light hours – to place more emphasis on
foot patrols to show a greater Garda presence on our streets in response to the Public Attitudes
Survey findings. The Garda Quality Customer Service Action Plan is being implemented
throughout the Division.
• Road accident black spots are monitored and enforcement levels are up. The introduction of the
Intoxiliser and a Joint booklet, ‘Road Safety Together – Plan for County Mayo’ was produced by
Mayo County Council and Gardaí and teachers to reduce the rate of accidents in the County.

Roscommon/Galway East
• Two part time drug units started in Ballinasloe and Tuam during 1999 had success in curbing
dealing.
• Operations “Fionn” and “Lifesaver” checkpoints were manned.
• The 1999 survey showed satisfaction from the public with how Roscommon/Galway East Garda
dealt with phone calls.
• During 1999 a number of cattle dealers residing in this Division were investigated for stealing
cattle and sheep in the area.
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AN GARDA SêOCHçNA EVALUATION OF AN GARDA SêOCHçNA POLICING PLAN 1999

INDEX
A CCTV System, 55 Criminal Assets Bureau Act 1996, 37
Acmhainn luachmhar, 3 CCTV system extension, 26 Criminal cases, 25
Activity Analysis, 29 Ceamaraí socraith agus, 38 Criminal Justice Act, 25
Additional Garda, 41 Certificate Approval, 42 Criminal Justice Bill drafting of new, 20
Aidhmeanna na heagraíochta don tréimhse Certificate of Course Approval, 42 Criminal Justice Management, 42
soiléir, 3 Chief Fire Officer, 59 Criminal justice system, 20
Air Support Unit, 4, 6, 8, 33 Child abuse investigation of reports of Cuardacha airm agus pléascáin
Aithint ag céim luath agus trí iad, 5 suspected, 24 Críochnaigh clár nua, 36
Anailís ar agus gníomhaigh ar, 31 Chiontóirí torthúla Dírigh ar, 24 Cuir feabhas ar shábháilteacht ar, 38
Annual Policing Plan, 8, 44 Chlár bliantiúil agus teascán, 41 Cuspóirí Seachadaigh, 35
Aonaid éifeachta táirgeachta, 3 Chuige níos dírithe chuig póilíniú ag gach, 3 Customer satisfaction, 5
Appointments Office B Branch, 43 Ciarán Conlon, 26 Customer service initiatives, 5
Assist National Crime Council, 34 Citizen Group Liaison, 22 Customs Officers, 54
Assistant Commissioner, 28 City Districts Gardaí, 57
Assistant Commissioner Finance, 26 Civil Service Commission, 43 D
Association of Asylum Seekers, 47 Civil strife, 35 Data Network Contract, 8
Association of Refugees/Asylum Seekers, 47 Civilian personnel, 41 Database of policing presentations, 26
Asylum political, 54 Civilianisation, 35, 43 Deloitte & Touche Management Consultants, 29
Athchóirithe Dlí Comhionnannais agus, 3, 35 Closed Circuit Television system installation of, Department of JELR Strategy Statement
Athchúrsáil oibríochtaí rathúla cosúil le 26 Garda objectives of, 6, 35
Athchruthaigh agus, 40 Coastal Watch, 31 Department of Justice, 35, 45
Athruithe tar éis luathaithe scóip, 5 Coireacht eagraithe ngleic le, 37 Department of Social Welfare, 37
Coireachta síos, 3 Deputy Commissioner, 28
B Commissioner of Garda Siochana, 44 D'fhás Biúró Náisiúnta Cailíochta, 3
BA Degree, 42 Communication service, 27 Dhul chun cinn ó Achoimre Réigiúnach ar, 1
BA Degree course, 42 Community Alert Programmes, 27 Director of CrimeStoppers, 25
Bachelor of Arts Degree, 8, 42 Community Alert Scheme, 54 District headquarters, 41
Baile átha Cliath Láir Thuaidh agus Láir, 26 Community Gardaí, 23, 48 Divisional Crime Prevention Officer, 27
Baldonnell Aerodrome, 33 Co-ordinate, 57 Divisional Customer Panel, 47, 55, 58
Barrett Light Fifty, 36, 54 Community Police Sergeants, 47 ,57 Divisional Customer Panels, 21, 22
Beaga anuas agus léiríonn mór le blianta, 5 Community Policing, 22 Divisional Customer Service Manager, 46
Bhaineann sé le cláracha nua le hacmhainní, Community Policing Unit, 47, 49 Divisional Customer Service Panel, 46, 50
29 Community Relations, 8, 26, 28 Divisional Customer Service Panels, 4
Bhaitsiléir Ealaíne forbairt ar, 42 Community Relations contribution, 28 Divisional Customer User Group, 46
Bheith ina bhuntáiste le coir, 3 Community Relations Programmes, 27 Divisional Drugs Unit, 52, 55, 58
Bhfuil dóchais agus riachtanais ag ár Community Relations Section, 28 Divisional Investigation Teams, 59
gcustaiméirí, 3 Computer crime, 27 Divisional Officer, 7
Bhreis oibríochtaí réamhghníomhacha, forbairt Computer fraud, 25 Divisional Policing Plan, 7, 49
ar, 32 Computer manufacturing, 27 Divisional Quality Customer Service Panels, 21
Bhuntáiste le coir bheith ina, 3 Córais Braite Luas Gatso mbóthair le breis, 38 Divisional Quality Service Customer Panel, 46,
Biúró Náisiúnta Cáilíochta Seirbhíse suite, 3 Core Module, 42 50, 53
Biúró Náisiúnta Tráchta mbóthair le, 38 Core Module of course, 42 Divisional Quality Service Managers, 21
Blanchardstown Shopping Centre, 51 Core Modules, 42 Divisional Quality Service Panel, 45, 51
BN2TS Defender, 33 Cork City, 55 Divisional Quality Service Teams, 21
Bottom-up review, 35 Cork Drug Squad, 56 Divisional Search Team, 45, 48
Bottom-UP Review Group, 19 Cork North Division, 56 Divisional Traffic Corps, 58
Branch, Assistant Commissioner C, 26 Cork's Operation Freeflow, 55 Divisional Traffic Unit, 47, 51
Bree Community Alert, 54 Corporate Strategy Document, 4 Divisional Training Office, 48
Bureau of Road Safety, 39 Correspondence Register, 22 DMR East Devolved Budget Annual Report, 47
Business Watch Scheme, 46 Council of Europe programme, 44 Dóchais agus riachtanais ag ár gcustaiméirí
Crime detection, 26 bhfuil, 3
C Crime figures, 28 Domestic Violence, 23
Call Answering Service, 46 Crime Forum Cuidigh leis, 34 Drug activity, 40
Camera Car, 58 Crime prevention, 26, 27, 33 Drug problem, 32, 40
CCTV, 7, 35 Crime prevention advice, 27 Drug Unit, 48
CCTV cameras, 26, 50 Crime rate, 4 Drugaí ngleic le mí-úsáid, 31
CCTV coverage, 6, 8, 26 Crime Task Force, 48 Drugs awareness, 31
CCTV installation plans, 46 CrimeStoppers initiative, 25 Drugs field, 32
CCTV system, 26 Criminal assets, 8, 6, 8, 25, 37 Drugs menace, 32

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AN GARDA SêOCHçNA EVALUATION OF AN GARDA SêOCHçNA POLICING PLAN 1999

Drugs trade, 25, 37 G Garda Síochána, 2, 3, 4, 19, 21, 22, 25, 27, 28,
Drugs worth, 8 Garda Air Support Unit, 33, 51, 59 29, 32, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 40, 41, 43, 44
Drunk driving, 38, 46 Garda approach, 6, 30, 35, 37 Garda Síochána Annual Policing Plan, 7
Drunk driving legislation, 39 Garda Bureau of Fraud Investigation, 8, 25 Garda Síochána Annual Report, 7, 23
Dublin, 4, 27, 34, 40, 54 Garda Central Records System, 41 Garda Síochána College, 4, 6, 21, 42, 43, 44
Dublin Airport major emergency plan, 48 Garda Chief Superintendent, 37 Garda Síochána College library, 26
Dublin Bus, 49 Garda College, 4, 6, 21, 24, 42, 43 Garda Síochána College training intake, 35
Dublin Chamber of Commerce, 25 Garda College library, 26 Garda Síochána Complaints Board, 49
Dublin Corporation, 48, 51 Garda Corporate Strategy, 4, 44 Garda Síochána Financial Management
Dublin Divisions, 47 Garda Corporate Strategy2000-2004, 8 Framework, 29
Dublin Garda Divisions, 47 Garda Customer Charter, 21 Garda Siochana Human Rights Initiative, 44
Dublin Metropolitan Region, 32, 39 Garda David Kelly, 23 Garda Síochána Organisation Development
Dublin Metropolitan Region districts, 16 Garda Districts, 24 Unit, 16
Dublin Metropolitan Region Headquarters, 32 Garda divisions, 26, 38, 39, 41 Garda Síochána Policing Plan, 4, 5
Dublin NC, 6, 26 Garda Dublin Metropolitan Area Network Garda Síochána prioritise, 4
Dublin North Central, 7 Project, 27 Garda Síochána Quality Service Action Plan, 20
Dublin Region, 6, 22, 27, 32, 39, 40, 41 Garda Dublin Metropolitan Region Network Garda Síochána tús áite, 3
Dublin Region Headquarters, 28 Project, 27 Garda Síochána's Annual Policing Plan, 4
Dublin Region system, 41 Garda effectiveness, 22 Garda sites, 27
Dublin Region Voice, 8 Garda Establishment Reallocation Model, 29 Garda SMI Implementation Steering Group, 5
Dublin SC, 6, 26 Garda Establishment Redistribution Model, 29, Garda SMI Implementation Team, 43
Dublin West, 51 30 Garda SMI Steering Group, 19
Dundalk Institute of Technology, 46 Garda First Point of Contact initiative, 51 Garda staff, 5
Dundalk Town, 46 Garda fleet, 23 Garda Stations, 21, 22, 41
Dunlaoghaire/Rathdown Drugs Task Force Garda Headquarters, 4, 34 Garda strength, 23
objectives, 47 Garda Human Resource Allocation Model, 29 Garda Superintendents, 42
Garda Human Resource Model, 29 Garda Trainers, 23
E Garda Human Rights Initiative, 28, 44 Garda Victim Liaison Officer, 24
Early School Leavers, 46 Garda Human Rights Office, 44 Garda visibility, 6,, 33 34
Eastern Regional Health Authority, 51 Garda internet web site, 43 Garda Web Site, 8
Education, 38 Garda investigation procedures, 24 Gatso speed detection system, 6, 38, 39
Educational Awards, 42 Garda mainframe systems, 41 Gcaithfidh siad seo feabhas leanúnach, 3
Effectiveness of Garda Síochána, 6, 19, 35 Garda mainframe Systems, 41 Gcoibhneas idir dhrugaí agus choireacht, 31
Egan, Assistant Commissioner Joseph, 34 Garda Mounted Unit, 4, 8, 34 Gcoir taifeadta agus le méadú, 3
éifeachtacht iomlán póilínithe, 3 Garda National Bureau of Criminal GComhairle Náisiúnta Coireachta agus le
Emergency services, 41 Investigation, 8 Fóram na, 34
Ennis Branch of Victim Support, 58 Garda National Drugs Unit, 8, 31, 32, 54, 58 Gelding Irish draught, 34
EU Tampere Council, 28 Garda National Quality Bureau, 4, 21 Gharda de chuid Ráiteas Straitéiseach na
Europe, 41 Garda National Quality Service Bureau, 4, 8 Roinne, 35
European Structural Funds Project, 50 Garda National Traffic Bureau, 4, 6, 38 Gharda Síochána agus comhlíonann sé patróláil
European Union, 40 Garda Observers, 33 rialta, 3
Evaluation of Neighbourhood Policing, 8 Garda organisation, 42 Gharda Síochána agus cuir le Máistir Ealaíona,
Garda phone service, 6, 27 42
F Garda presence, 33, 40 Gharda Síochána agus foilsigh Plean
Feabhas ar fhaire theilifíse ciorcaid iata Cuir, 26 Garda Press Office, 43 Gníomhaíochta Seirbhís, 21
Feabhas ar shábháilteacht ar cuir, 38 Garda protection, 25 Gharda Síochána agus na céadta Gardaí
Feidhmiú Tuarascáil Ghrúpa Stiúrtha Cuir tús le, Garda Quality Bureau Report, 59 dícheallacha, 3
19 Garda Quality Bureau survey of telephone Gharda Síochána agus póilíniú phobail, 27
Financial institutions, 25 responses of Gardaí, 22, 27 Gharda Síochána ar Éifeachtacht agus ar
Financial Management Framework, 8 Garda Quality Customer Service Action Plan, 4, Fheidhmiúlacht, 19
Fingal Council Officials, 33 6, 21, 22, 23, 59 Gharda Síochána chun deich n-eochar
Firearms, 8 Garda Quality Programme, 6, 21 tosaíocht póilínithe, 5
First Phase Rollout of PULSE, 55 Garda Quality Service, 21 Gharda Síochána lonnaithe, 3
Fizgibbon Street areas, 26 Garda Quality Service Action Plan, 21, 22 Glacadh isteach na hoiliúna agus Méadaigh ar,
Forbairt ar bhreis oibríochtaí Garda Quality Service Bureau, 8, 22 43
réamhghníomhacha, 32 Garda Quality Service Bureau survey of Glacadh isteach na sibhialtaigh, 43
Forensic Science Laboratory, 23 telephone responses, 27 Government commitment of wide range of, 5
Form C, 39 Garda Research Unit, 23, 28, 31, 42, 45, 46 Government Buildings, 28
Foundation Module, 42 Garda response, 38 Government Road Safety Strategy, 46
Foundation Module stage, 42 Garda response times, 22 Government's target, 35
Garda Road Safety Initiative, 39 Gréasáin web site Oscail láithreán, 43
Garda Schools Programme, 31 Grúpa Stiúrtha Forfheidhmiú TBS, 5
Garda service, 6, 7, 8, 29, 33

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AN GARDA SêOCHçNA EVALUATION OF AN GARDA SêOCHçNA POLICING PLAN 1999

H Law Reform Strategy Statement, 35 Neartaigh ar bhfreagracht níos mó, 23


Hand Held Speed Detection Devices, 47 Leag Plean Póilíneachta, 3 Neighbourhood Watch Scheme, 51
Handguns, 36 Leathnú le réimse leathan gníomhairí phobail, Ngach roinn le bás ar ár mbóithre, 3
Harcourt Square, 28 31 Ngleic le coireacht eagraithe, 37
Health Boards, 24 Léiríonn na tuairiscí ó Ranna, 3 Ngleic le mí-úsáid drugaí, 31
Helicopter twin-engine, 33 Liffey Valley Shopping Centre, 51 Níos dírithe chuig póilíniú ag gach chuige, 3
Heroin, 48 Limerick City Centre, 57 Non-Government agencies, 5
High Level Review Group, 20 Limerick Garda Quality Service Panel, 57 North Central Division, 32
Himpleachtaí roinn acmhainní chomh measúnú Local Area networks, 41 North Cork roads of, 56
ar na, 29 Luach saothair na seirbhíse Scrúdaigh struchtúr, Northern Regions, 33
Human Resource Management framework, 20 42 Notional Devolved Budgeting, 8
Human rights, 44 Luachmhar seo ar fáil modh lenar NOW Project, 6, 40
Human Rights, 44 mheastoireacht, 3 Nua cuardacha airm agus pléascáin
Human Rights Equality Centre, 44 Ludlow, Chief Superintendent Kevin, 21 Críochnaigh clár, 36
Human Rights Initiative, 44 Nua gníomhairí forfheidhmithe le chéile
M Cuireadh réimse, 3
I Mainframe systems Garda, 41 Nua Seirbhísí Speisialta t-Aonad Aerthacaíochta
Ideal Homes Exhibition, 27 Management positions, 42 le hAonad, 3
Illegal drug activity, 40 Management practices, 42
Implementation Team full time, 19 Mayo County Council, 59 O
Importation of drugs illegal, 27, 31 Mayo District Patrol crews, 33 O'Connell Street, 26, 32
Informal Service Complaint Procedure, 22 Mayo Division, 59 Oibrigh le agus lean ar comhoibriú, 31
Information Flow, 22 MBaile átha Cliath agus ag imeachtaí móra, 3 Oifigeach Cuntais don Gharda Síochána bheith
Information Technology Division, 41 MBaile átha Cliath Láir Theas agus Láir, 26 ina, 29
In-Service Schools, 24 MBainisteoireacht Póilíneachta I gColáiste, 42 Oisin programme, 32
Integrated Services Project, 50 MBainistíocht Ceartas Coiriúil de chuid, 42 On-The-Spot-Fine System, 8
Intelligence driven operations, 40 MBiúró Shócmhainní Coiriúla le dul, 37 Operation Clean Streets Operation Dochas, 40
Intelligence Gathering, 25 McAleese, Mary, 25 Operation Conifer, 46
Intelligence systems, 25 McCabe Fellowship, 43 Operation Dochas, 40
Internal Customer, 22 Méadaíodh éifeachtúlacht agus éifeachtacht Operation Eagle, 46
Internal Customer Focus Inspections, 22 Measúnú ar na himpleachtaí roinn acmhainní Operation Freeflow, 40
Internal Customer focus Resources, 22 chomh, 29 Operation Freeflow/Clearway, 8
Internal Information Flow, 22 Meath Victim Support Branch, 46 Operation Iarthair, 33
International agencies, 31 Member State, 40 Operation Lifesaver, 38
International community, 35 Memoranda of Understanding, 32 Operation Lifesaver road deaths, 38
International drugs, 31 Mhéadú Críochnaigh taighde ar, 23 Operation Long, 56
Internet web site, 43 Mheastoireacht luachmhar seo ar fáil modh Operation Longnights, 57
Investigation of crimes of violence, 24 lenar, 3 Operation Maeve, 33
Iomlán póilínithe éifeachtacht, 3 Mheastóireacht seo eagraíocht atá ar fheabhas Operational methods, 25, 37
IPA Criminal Justice Management MA, 6, 42 ina, 5 Operational unit, 25, 37
IPA MA, 42 Micro-computer equipment, 41 Operations Amen, 33
Ireland, 23, 26, 41 Millennium Watch Form, 47 Operations Belt Up, 39
Irish Air Corps, 33 Minimise response times, 22 Organisation Development Unit, 24, 28
Irish Draught Horse Association, 34 Misuse of Drugs Act, 58 Organisational effectiveness Increase, 7
Irish Marketing Surveys, 22, 27 More Effective Partnership, 45 Organisational structure, 35
Irish Masters Snooker, 45 Motorcycles, 47
Irish Society, 23 Mounted Unit of Hungarian National Police, 34 P
Isteach na hoiliúna agus Méadaigh ar glacadh, Multiagency approach, 25, 37 Painéalacha Custaiméirí Roinne ar Cuireadh tús
43 Múnla Cionroinne Acmhainní Daonna le sonraí le, 3
Isteach na sibhialtaigh glacadh, 43 suas, 29 Pearse Street/Temple Bar area, 26
Personnel complement, 33
J N Phlean Gníomhaíochta Sheirbhísí Custaiméirí
John Jay College NY, 43 National Council, 42 Cháilíochta
Judiciary, 39 National Crime Council, 34 Phlean Póilíneachta Phobail agus, 3
National Crime Forum, 34 Plean Póilíneachta gníomhaíochta ag, 5
K National Crime Prevention Office, 27 Póilíniú ar mhí-úsáid drugaí Póilíniú ard-
Keating, Assistant Commissioner E. T., 21 National Customer Panel, 21, 22 infheictheacht agus lean leis
National Customer Service Panels, 8 Police Foundation, 6, 34
L National Garda Quality Customer Service Police Management, 6, 8, 42
Láithreán gréasáin web site Oscail, 43 Panel, 21 Police training, 8
Laser speed meters, 39 National Ploughing Championships, 27 Policing Forum Initiative, 49
Law Reform, 7, 43, 45 National Quality Service Bureau, 20, 21 Policing Plan, 4, 7

Visit the Garda Website at www.garda.ie 62


AN GARDA SêOCHçNA EVALUATION OF AN GARDA SêOCHçNA POLICING PLAN 1999

Policing Plan runs, 7 Seo eagraíocht atá ar fheabhas ina TETRA system, 41
Policing Service, 34 mheastóireacht, 5 TETRA system projects, 41
Political asylum, 54 Seoladh ceannann céanna, 28 Thabhairt dá gcuid riachtanais agus tá áthas, 3
Prevention of Cruelty, 23 Seville Place Sheriff Street, 48 Thionscnaimh Deiseanna Nua déan
Príomha trí fadhbanna, 5 Sexual assault, 23 meastóireacht ar, 40
Prioritise Garda Síochána, 4 Sexual Assault Investigation Unit, 23 Tionscnamh Bhainistíocht Straitéiseach
Probation Service, 48 Sheirbhís custaiméirí le sásamh chustaiméara Thosaigh athbhreithniú struchtúrtha faoin, 3
Provide Garda Síochána, 35 tionscnamh, 5 Tionscnamh Bhainistíocht Straitéiseach atá
Provision of suitable offices, 35 Shuaimhneas le póilíniú ard-infheictheacht agus tógra ar, 5
Public confidence, 25, 37 lean leis, 24 Tionscnamh sheirbhís custaiméirí le sásamh
Public satisfaction, 7 Siad seo feabhas leanúnach gcaithfidh, 3 chustaiméara, 5
Public Satisfaction, 21 Síos coireachta, 3 Tipperary Division, 28
Public Service Vehicle, 39 Slí Eile Project, 45 Torthúla Dírigh ar chiontóirí, 24
PULSE computer applications, 27 Sligo town, 26 Tourist Security Booklets, 28
PULSE implementation, 35 Soccer Internationals, 50 Traffic accident, 39
PULSE information booklets, 41 Social Community & Family Affairs, 48 Traffic accidents, 22, 38
PULSE project, 6, 35, 41 Social problems, 37 Traffic congestion, 40
PULSE readiness, 41 Soiléir aidhmeanna na heagraíochta don Traffic Corps, 38
tréimhse, 3 Traffic Corps Unit, 54
Q Sonraí de chainteanna agus d'altanna Sonraí Trainee Gardaí, 43
Quality Service, 22 suas Múnla Cionroinne Acmhainní Daonna Transport fleet, 35
Quality Service Action Plan, 47 le, 29 Treisigh póilíniú ar mhí-úsáid drugaí
Quality Service ethos, 21 South Central, 7 réamhghníomhach agus, 31
Special Detective Unit, 25 Tripod Mounted Laser Speed Detection Device,
R Special Services Unit, 4 47
Radio programmes, 28 Speeding Offences, 58 Tuairiscí ó Ranna léiríonn na, 3
Radio system, 6, 41 Squirrel AS355N, 33 Tuarascáil Ghrúpa Stiúrtha Cuir tús le feidhmiú,
TETRA, 23 Staff Attitude Survey, 21 19
TETRA secure, 27, 41 Stáit Aontaithe Mheiriceá, 3 Tús áite Garda Síochána, 3
Raibh fáilte, 3 State Act, 36 Tús le Marcaonad Cuir, 34
Rape Crisis Centre, 6, 23 Statutory bodies, 23 Twin-engine fixed wing plane, 33
Real IRA, 36 Stolen Vehicles Unit, 32
Regional Assistant Commissioner, 49 Storemen, 43 U
Regional Chubb Award, 54 Strategic Management Initiative, 19 Ullmhúcháin le gur féidir leis, 29
Réigiún Limistéar Chathair átha Cliath, 47 Strategic Management Initiative Implementation Urban centres, 28
Réimse leathan feabhsúcháin seirbhíse Team, 29 Urine samples, 39
Réimse leathan gníomhairí phobail leathnú le, Strategic Management Initiative projects, 5
31 Struchtúr luach saothair na seirbhíse Scrúdaigh, V
Réimse nua gníomhairí forfheidhmithe le chéile 42 Victim Support, 24, 28, 47
Cuireadh, 3 Struchtúrtha faoin Tionscnamh Bhainistíocht Victim Support Office, 28, 47
Réir agus de, 3 Straitéiseach Thosaigh athbhreithniú, 3 Victim Support Service, 49
Repeat Burglary Victimisation Study, 6, 19, 28 Vocational training, 40
Report of Steering Group, 19, 35 T
Resource Management, 28 Taifeadta agus le méadú gcoir, 3 W
Response times, 22 Taighde ar mhéadú Críochnaigh, 23 Waterford Divisional Quality Service Panel, 54
Retail trade, 27 T-Aire Dlí agus Cirt, 3 Western Region, 34
Revenue Commissioners, 37, 48 Táirgeachta agus ina chuid torthaí Wexford Drugs Unit, 54
Road accidents, 6, 38 Tallaght Garda Station, 50 Wide Area, 41
Road traffic accidents, 38, 39 T-Aonad Aerthacaíochta le hAonad nua Women's Aid, 23
Road Traffic legislation, 38 Seirbhísí Speisialta, 3
Road traffic offences, 38 TAonad Uisce agus, 3
Roinn Gharda gach, 1 Target Regional repeat victimisation, 6, 28
Roinn le bás ar ár mbóithre ngach, 3 Teacht chun solais Saincheisteanna atá ag, 44
Rugby Internationals, 50 Teascán chlár bliantiúil agus, 41
Telecommunications facilities, 27
S Telecommunications improvements, 23
Santry District, 49 Telephone Callers, 21
Scóip athruithe tar éis luathaithe, 5 Television, 28
Security programme, 25 Television cameras circuit, 26
Seirbhís póilíniú chun, 3 Temple Bar, 50
Seirbhíse ag comhaltaí den Gharda Síochána TETRA radio system, 23
seachadadh, 3 TETRA secure radio system, 27, 41

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