Dáil Éireann Debate, Monday - 9 September 2024
1090. Deputy Paul Donnelly asked the Minister for Justice further to Parliamentary Question No. 1494 on 23 July 2024, if she has received the necessary information from the Garda Authorities in order to have this PQ answered. [34473/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraParliamentary Question No. 1494 on 23 July sought a report on Garda Operation Run Off, including the amount of drugs and firearms recovered under this operation, the number of successful convictions obtained under this Operation to date, and confirmation if this operation is still live.
As the Deputy will be aware, under the Garda Síochána Act 2005 (as amended), the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the management and administration of An Garda Síochána. This includes all operational and investigative policing matters. As Minister, I have no role in these matters and cannot seek to direct the Commissioner in relation to such.
Further to this, convictions are a matter for the Courts Service. Management of the courts, operational matters and logistical functions are the responsibility of the judiciary and the Courts Service, which are independent in exercising their functions under the Courts Service Act 1998 and given the separation of powers in the Constitution. The Minister has no role in these matters.
The Courts Service has a dedicated email address for the provision of information to members of the Houses of the Oireachtas: oireachtasenquiries@courts.ie
Operation Run Off was developed as a targeted approach to criminals involved in the sale and supply of drugs, gun crime and serious organised crime in the Corduff/Sheephill area of Dublin 15. It aimed to increase patrols in the Corduff/Sheephill area and help identify individuals involved in criminality in the area.
While the Garda Commissioner is operationally responsible, I am advised by the Garda authorities that the Operation commenced on 15 February 2019 in the DMR West and ceased in January 2020.
I am also advised that throughout this operation there were 317 drug seizures to the value of €777,934. 36 firearms/ammunition were also recovered.
In addition, there were 489 charges and 146 summons sent forward to the Courts.
