FG suggest court rape ruling behind drop in rape reports

[Insider2007]

Fine Gael Justice Spokesman Jim O’Keeffe TD has expressed concern at the sharp drop in incidents of aggravated sexual assault in the latest crime figures which indicate that fewer cases are being reported. Deputy O’Keeffe said annual crime figures look set to top 100,000 again for the sixth year running with major increases in firearms discharges, serious drugs offences and murder attempts.

“I am particularly concerned at the drop in the number of incidents of aggravated sexual assault, which is down 66.7% year on year. This confirms that fears were fully justified about a drop in the reporting of rapes following last year’s Supreme Court ruling on statutory rape, and Minister McDowell’s rushed attempt to address it.

“While there is some positive news for crime victims in the CSO crime figures with a reversal in the steady increase in crime, we are still seeing a historically high level of crime. This means that the need for extra Garda manpower on the streets is greater than ever. Although Fianna Fáil and the PDs promised extra Gardaí five years ago, it is only now being delivered.

“There are other worrying trends in the figures with solid indications that gangland crime is still on the rise, with a 41.7% increase year on year in discharge of firearms offences, while murder attempts and threats are up 8.8%. Drugs offences rose by 22.2% in the 12 months to the first quarter of 2007, while drug dealing offences were up 20.6%.

“Nevertheless, I very much welcome the progress made in other areas, including the overall fall in serious crime, the reduction in the number of incidents of assault causing harm, and the drop in robberies. This suggests that crime can be addressed successfully with the type of measures that Fine Gael is setting out, which include:

· Recruit an extra 2,000 Gardaí to bring the Force to 15,000;
· Set out sentencing guidelines with clear minimum and maximum sentences to put an end to the sentencing lottery;
· End automatic remission for prisoners, who will have to earn remission rather than ask for it;
· Introduce the long-awaited mechanism to electronically tag people on bail accused of serious crimes;
· Modernise Garda rostering practices to get more Gardaí on the beat, particularly at night, when and where they are really needed;
· Bring in civilians to do civilian jobs so that Gardaí can concentrate on policing;
· Open up Garda top management to external candidates to bring in new skills and experience.”

[Dunny]

Fine Gael Justice Spokesman Jim O’Keeffe TD has expressed concern at the sharp drop in incidents of aggravated sexual assault in the latest crime figures which indicate that fewer cases are being reported. Deputy O’Keeffe said annual crime figures look set to top 100,000 again for the sixth year running with major increases in firearms discharges, serious drugs offences and murder attempts.

“I am particularly concerned at the drop in the number of incidents of aggravated sexual assault, which is down 66.7% year on year. This confirms that fears were fully justified about a drop in the reporting of rapes following last year’s Supreme Court ruling on statutory rape, and Minister McDowell’s rushed attempt to address it.

“While there is some positive news for crime victims in the CSO crime figures with a reversal in the steady increase in crime, we are still seeing a historically high level of crime. This means that the need for extra Garda manpower on the streets is greater than ever. Although Fianna Fáil and the PDs promised extra Gardaí five years ago, it is only now being delivered.

“There are other worrying trends in the figures with solid indications that gangland crime is still on the rise, with a 41.7% increase year on year in discharge of firearms offences, while murder attempts and threats are up 8.8%. Drugs offences rose by 22.2% in the 12 months to the first quarter of 2007, while drug dealing offences were up 20.6%.

“Nevertheless, I very much welcome the progress made in other areas, including the overall fall in serious crime, the reduction in the number of incidents of assault causing harm, and the drop in robberies. This suggests that crime can be addressed successfully with the type of measures that Fine Gael is setting out, which include:

· Recruit an extra 2,000 Gardaí to bring the Force to 15,000;
· Set out sentencing guidelines with clear minimum and maximum sentences to put an end to the sentencing lottery;
· End automatic remission for prisoners, who will have to earn remission rather than ask for it;
· Introduce the long-awaited mechanism to electronically tag people on bail accused of serious crimes;
· Modernise Garda rostering practices to get more Gardaí on the beat, particularly at night, when and where they are really needed;
· Bring in civilians to do civilian jobs so that Gardaí can concentrate on policing;
· Open up Garda top management to external candidates to bring in new skills and experience.”

There are 13,200 Gardaí on the beat now, with 800 or so in Training (due to come into service end of 2007). So FG are only proposing an extra 1000 Gardaí.

[Fr. Hank Tree]

800 gardai in training are not 800 gardai on the beat

[Dunny]

800 gardai in training are not 800 gardai on the beat

Did I say that?

I said that they will be commissioned by end of 2007. Are FG going to increase Gardai numbers to 15,000 (an increase of only 1000) or to 16,000 (an increase of 2000)?

Simpe question

[WestOfCentre]

800 gardai in training are not 800 gardai on the beat

254 new recuits graduated yesterday. So, assuming there were some retirements, the Garda force is now over 13,300 - 13,400.

[cyberianpan]

I am particularly concerned at the drop in the number of incidents of aggravated sexual assault, which is down 66.7% year on year. This confirms that fears were fully justified about a drop in the reporting of rapes following last year’s Supreme Court ruling on statutory rape, and Minister McDowell’s rushed attempt to address it.

This is weasel rhetoric from FG. He is not directly saying that the Supreme Court ruling caused the 66.7% drop, he is merely saying that the "fears" i.e. subjective perception is justified. This the type of slip shod , half baked & wholly amateur analysis that we've come to expect from FG - the only aim is to riase fear & concern. It isn't even a proper diagnosis of the issue.

There are 13,200 Gardaí on the beat now, with 800 or so in Training (due to come into service end of 2007). So FG are only proposing an extra 1000 Gardaí.

Mind you FF seem as moronic, allowing for early retirement I'd guess that avergae service term for Gardai to be say 25 years. Thus implying 13200/25 = 528 Gardai to retire this year. Thus implying the FG increase is of order 1500.

cYp

[meriwether]

This is weasel rhetoric from FG. He is not directly saying that the Supreme Court ruling caused the 66.7% drop, he is merely saying that the "fears" i.e. subjective perception is justified. This the type of slip shod , half baked & wholly amateur analysis that we've come to expect from FG - the only aim is to riase fear & concern. It isn't even a proper diagnosis of the issue.

Can you offer an exact diagnosis of the reason rape reporting is down 66.7% please?

[Fr. Hank Tree]

800 gardai in training are not 800 gardai on the beat

Did I say that?

I said that they will be commissioned by end of 2007. Are FG going to increase Gardai numbers to 15,000 (an increase of only 1000) or to 16,000 (an increase of 2000)?

Simpe question

FG are going to increase the number of gadai on the street from 13200 to approx 15200 - that's a 2000 garda increase. Gardai in training by your own admission in training are not gardai in service, so stop twisting figure to excuse you're party's shortcomings. It's irrelevant that 800 will be commisioned by the end of the year. If you take into account trainees, then you must take into account retirees too.

We were promised that the 800 extra guards would be commisioned by the election.

[BarryW]

There are 13,200 Gardaí on the beat now, with 800 or so in Training (due to come into service end of 2007). So FG are only proposing an extra 1000 Gardaí.

Since you conveniently ignored this issue on the "Cogging Willie O'Dea" thread yesterday, I'll ask again:

How about doing these sums for me?

Programme for Government June 2002:

We will complete the current expansion of the Garda Síochána and increase recruitment so that the numbers will increase by a further 2,000

Number of Gardai:

June 2002: 11,860
April 2007: 13,182

13,182-11,860 = 1,322

Can you explain this one for me Dunny?

If FF had lived up to their promises, then your questions about ours might have some small modicum of credibility

[WestOfCentre]

There are 13,200 Gardaí on the beat now, with 800 or so in Training (due to come into service end of 2007). So FG are only proposing an extra 1000 Gardaí.

Since you conveniently ignored this issue on the "Cogging Willie O'Dea" thread yesterday, I'll ask again:

How about doing these sums for me?

Programme for Government June 2002:

We will complete the current expansion of the Garda Síochána and increase recruitment so that the numbers will increase by a further 2,000

Number of Gardai:

June 2002: 11,860
April 2007: 13,182

13,182-11,860 = 1,322

Can you explain this one for me Dunny?

If FF had lived up to their promises, then your questions about ours might have some small modicum of credibility

Get your facts right Barry.