Border crime and ATM robberies
Deputy Smyth raised rising crime in Cavan-Monaghan, especially ATM robberies, and asked for extra Garda resources. Deputy Breathnach linked wider crime and laundering issues to his area, and the Minister said operational matters were for Gardaí while noting additional support had already been announced for Cavan-Monaghan.
In the programme for Government, a clear commitment was given to preventing and reducing crime. However, the very opposite is evident in Cavan-Monaghan and in the Border region, where there has been an increase in criminality over recent weeks. In the last four months, we have seen a serious increase in organised crime, particularly robberies of ATMs. There have been robberies of ATMs in Ballybay, Kingscourt and Castleblayney. Will the Tánaiste, the Minister for Justice and Equality, Deputy Flanagan, and the Garda Commissioner direct extra resources, which are evidently badly needed in Cavan and Monaghan, to give the Garda the capacity to deal with these types of crime? These towns are besieged by these criminals, and the consequences for local businesses are dire.
Comment on this
The Criminal Justice (Money Laundering and Terrorist Financing) Bill 2019 is before us. The scourge of crime and subversive activity, from drugs, ATM thefts, fuel laundering to tobacco and alcohol smuggling, has led to a loss of €25 million to my own community, as was announced last week. Illegal landfills are also a problem. When will the Minister, Deputy Flanagan, give a commitment that culpability and responsibility will rest with those who rent properties without inquiring as to what activities will take place in them? We have to deal with this issue in a forthright manner in this House, because the loss of revenue and income to businesses is frightening, not to mention the eventual recipients of this money.
Comment on this
A number of Bills have been enacted, and the fifth EU directive in respect of money laundering is currently advancing through the House. The Deputies will be aware from previous debates on this issue that operational matters are the preserve of An Garda Síochána. Having said that, there is some concern about the spate of ATM robberies around the Border area. Deputy Smyth will be aware of a recent announcement by the Garda Commissioner to provide additional support in the Cavan-Monaghan area, including the armed support response. I am happy to convey the concerns of the Deputy to senior Garda management. I am happy to say that An Garda Síochána is operating with unprecedented and record investment from the Government, amounting to €1.7 billion, much of which is being expended in the Border areas of Cavan, Monaghan and Louth.