Dublin North East Labour T.D. Tommy Broughan has learnt that 2,000 anti-social behaviour warnings and just seven anti-social behaviour orders have been issued between 2006 and up to June 30th 2009.

Deputy Broughan has repeatedly asked Justice Minister Dermot Ahern and his Fianna Fail and Green colleagues to ensure that the strongest possible action is taken against anti-social activity in his Dublin North East constituency and communities across Ireland. "I know of several constituents who are enduring unacceptable and appalling suffering on a daily basis in their own homes and on their own streets because of anti-social activity in the locality", said Deputy Broughan. "It is outrageous that decent families and individuals are under such unbearable pressure because of the scourge of anti-social activity."

Deputy Broughan asked Justice Minister Ahern to report on the number of formal warnings and anti-social behaviour orders that have been issued in the light of such complaints of intimidation, threatening behaviour and verbal assault to the Gardai. Minister Ahern has now reported that "up to 30th June, 2009, 1,183 behaviour warnings were issued to adults and 878 to children." Minister Ahern went on to say that it is only where "such warnings are unsuccessful that the question of seeking court orders arises."

It is therefore surprising given the very strong anecdotal evidence about anti-social behaviour in many communities that the Minister reports that just "four civil orders (adult) and three behaviour orders (children) have been issued up to 30 June 2009."

Deputy Broughan has also received an update on Garda Operation Hawkeye which has been in operation since February 2008 to "combat an increase in distraction theft offences, particularly at ATMs, thefts from the person, public disorder and anti-social behaviour offences" in Dublin.

Minister Ahern has informed Deputy Broughan that the Operation "employs Gardai on rostered duties and utilises uniformed and plain clothes personnel, and utilises high-visibility patrols to disrupt the criminal activities of identified targets. So far Operation Hawkeye has resulted in "more than 350 arrests with a similar number of charges being preferred. Property worth in excess of €30,000 has also been recovered."