Vehicle seizures highlighted 

ALMOST 6,000 vehicles have been seized in Dublin North since 2017.

In total, 2,218 of the 5,871 vehicles seized during this period were in the Coolock District of the Dublin Metropolitan Region (DMR) North.  

Dublin Bay North TD Tommy Broughan (Ind) sought the information from the Department of Justice and Equality through a Parliamentary Question (PQ).

The information provided showed that there were 1,175 vehicle seizures in Coolock in 2017, 920 in 2018 and 123 in the first two months of 2019. 

Balbriggan had a total of 894 vehicles seized in the two years and two months specified and Raheny had 787 seized.  

In Ballymun, 1,018 vehicles were seized in 2017, 863 in 2018 and 91 in the first two months of this year, totalling 1,972.

The Department of Justice and Equality did not provide Deputy Broughan with a breakdown on the reasons for the vehicle seizures in these areas.

It said: “Statistics on vehicle seizures under section 41(1) of the Road Traffic Act 1994 (as amended) are available on PULSE, they are not compiled in such a way that easily allows for the disaggregation into specific offences (i.e. no tax, no NCT, no licence, etc.).”

Deputy Broughan told Northside People: “It is very welcome but perhaps a little surprising to see such a drop in vehicle seizures under Section 41 of the 1994 Road Traffic Act between 2017 and 2018. 

“Each of the four Districts saw a reduction in the number of vehicles seized. 

“Of course, if the information could be dissected further to know the reasons for seizures we would be able to tell what areas have improved and what areas still require further policy work.”

Deputy Broughan said databases holding the information on drivers and licences need to be communicating in real time and investment and innovation in this area are badly needed.  

“Hopefully the lower figures in 2018 are also a concrete reflection of huge efforts by local communities and An Garda Síochána to combat car crime and related serious anti-social behaviour,” he added.