merrion street

‘I am aware of the issues raised by the two members of the Garda Síochána Analysis Service at the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice and Equality today. I should point out that neither I, nor my Department, have seen the dossier prepared by the two analysts.

However, the general issues surrounding homicide statistics have been in the public domain for some time, preceding my appointment as Minister for Justice and Equality. I have met with the Garda Commissioner and his team, as well as the Policing Authority in recent weeks to impress upon them the need to resolve this issue as quickly as possible.

Of course, I am concerned about the statements made by the two Garda analysts to the Justice Committee; particularly the suggestion that the non-recording or incorrect recording of incidents of Domestic Violence may put other women in danger.

The Policing Authority, along with Officials in the Department of Justice are working with the CSO and An Garda Síochána to ensure that all issues relating to crime statistics and crime classification, including in relation to incidents of domestic violence, are properly recorded.’