Letter from Minister for Justice, Frances Fitzgerald TD regarding burglaries

Minister for Justice

Frances Fitzgerald

DEAR SIR: Whether we live in a town or in the country, we have all been outraged by recent incidents in rural areas where the homes and farms of decent, law-abiding people have been attacked by callous criminals, in some cases with the most tragic consequences. As Minister for Justice, I am extremely conscious of the impact of these crimes and the very real fears of rural dwellers.

I am determined to continue to take strong action against the criminals involved. My response to burglaries, and to crime generally, is focussed on two key objectives: strengthening the law to make it tougher on serious and repeat offenders, and investing in more gardaí and vehicles.

Earlier this year, I called in the heads of all of the justice agencies to devise a new approach to tackle burglaries. One important fact which emerged was the finding of the gardaí that a large proportion of domestic burglaries are committed by serial offenders.

Figures from the An Garda Síochána Analysis Service indicate that 75% of burglaries are committed by 25% of burglars. Targeting these repeat offenders must be a priority and has the potential to significantly reduce the number of burglaries being committed.

In response, I introduced the Criminal Justice (Burglary of Dwellings) Bill, which targets those repeat burglars who have previous convictions and who are charged with multiple offences of residential burglary.

The new bill will require the District Court to provide for consecutive jail sentences, where a burglar is being sentenced for multiple offences, and allow courts to refuse bail for offenders who have a previous conviction for domestic burglary coupled with two or more pending charges.

This bill, which I hope to see enacted in the next few weeks, will go a long way in giving the courts the power to ensure that repeat burglars are kept off the streets.

However, law is not enough. We need enforcement. And in my eyes, that means more gardaí and more vehicles to ensure gardaí can be mobile, visible and responsive in the community.

In 2009, recruitment to An Garda Síochána was stopped. As this Government worked to deliver economic recovery, we have been able to deliver on our priority goal of investing in more gardaí and more vehicles.

New recruits

Last September, we reopened the garda college to new recruits for the first time since 2009. We will not let it close again. To date, 400 new gardaí have started their training, with the first 290 having already passed-out and now working in communities nationwide.

However, it is vital that these gardaí are not stuck sitting behind desks. They need to be out and about in our communities.

This is especially vital in terms of rural policing, where our priority is focussed on delivering highly-mobile garda patrols, which are being supported by this Government’s ongoing high-level investment in new garda vehicles. This Government has invested nearly €29m in new garda vehicles since 2012.

In addition, I recently allocated €700,000 to An Garda Síochána to purchase new specialised vehicles to support gardaí in responding to highly-mobile gangs which are using our motorway and national road network to terrorise rural communities.

This is being supported by my recent allocation of €1.75m to An Garda Síochána to upgrade surveillance equipment on garda aircrafts, including infrared cameras for nighttime use.

The Government’s Capital Plan, published last week, also provides for substantial additional investment of €205m in new technology and systems for An Garda Síochána. This will ensure a more responsive deployment of gardaí in the community and improved garda response times.

One further thing we can say about the response to recent shocking incidents, is that it highlights again the solidarity felt within local communities.

Since the foundation of the State, An Garda Síochána has been an integral part of the fabric of those communities. This continues in a modern context through Garda Community Policing as well as the long established Community Alert Programme and a series of important partnerships between gardaí and organisations, including the IFA and the ICMSA, which combat crime.

For my part, I am determined to take a tough stance on criminals who violate people’s homes and property in both rural and urban areas. I will ensure that tougher sentences are handed down and that we continue to invest in more gardaí and more garda vehicles to keep our communities safe.