asked the Minister for Justice if he will outline the number of gardaí assigned to the Clontarf Garda station which has responsibility for the Marino area, Dublin 3; whether he considers that this area is undermanned in view of the recent spate of armed raids on a building society, a bank, a drapery shop and a credit union; if he has plans to increase the number of gardaí in this area, or if there are any additional measures he can take to allay the fears of residents; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Written Answers. - Clontarf (Dublin) Garda Strength.
185.
The Garda strength assigned to the various stations is decided by the Garda authorities in the light of their assessment of needs and having regard to overall resources. I am informed by the Garda authorities that the current overall Garda strength at Clontarf station is 50. It is proposed to increase this strength to 52 or 53 when the next group of recruits becomes available for assignment in the coming month. In addition to the Garda resources available from the local station and from the District Headquarters at Raheny, assistance from special crime investigation units is available to supplement the efforts of the local gardaí as and when required.
As regards crimes of the type referred to in the question, the Garda authorities report that charges have been preferred in respect of two recent robberies in the Marino area and that investigations are continuing in the other cases.