2007 ANNUAL OSAC CRIME AND SAFETY REPORT.

UNCLAS DUBLIN 000020 SIPDIS SIPDIS FOR DS/DSS/ITA, DS/DSS/OSAC, DS/IP/EUR E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: ASEC APER AMGT EI SUBJECT: 2007 ANNUAL OSAC CRIME AND SAFETY REPORT. REF: 07 STATE 168473 (U) Dublin's Annual Overseas Security Advisory Council (OSAC) Crime and Safety Report - 2007. ¶I. Overall Crime and Safety: ¶1. (U) Although official Police reports for 2007 will not be available until later in the year, RSO police contacts have reported that crime overall in Ireland has risen over the last twelve months. There has been an increase in activities by organized criminal groups in Ireland. Preliminary reports state that Homicides in Ireland have increased 20% in 2007, with the majority of these involving organized crime groups, although some innocent bystanders have been fatally injured as a result. Drug related offences have increased 25% from 2006. ¶2. (U) Violent crime involving American tourists is rare. There were about five to six muggings /street robberies, on average, per month reported to the Embassy by U.S. citizens. American tourists tend to become victims of crime when they drop normal security practices due to their misconception that there is little crime in Ireland. In general, Americans tend to be victims of larceny and pick pocketing in the busy downtown area of Dublin. Some Americans have been caught up in fraud scams involving ATM bank machines, credit cards and the Internet. Vehicle burglaries are not uncommon with criminals targeting American tourists using rental cars at popular tourist destinations. Residential burglaries are common in Irish cities with criminals focusing on the more affluent areas. ¶3. (U) In 2007, American Citizen Services (ACS) has had to replace, on average, 27 lost or stolen passports per month. Most of the stolen passports were taken when purses or jackets were snatched. Anti-American sentiment is rare, and there has been a fall-off in the numbers of protesters the Embassy has seen in the last twelve months. It should be noted that some Irish citizens are against the current U.S. War on Terrorism and the U.S. presence in Iraq, and entering into political discussions in public places should be avoided. II. Political Violence: ¶4. (U) There have been no terrorist incidents in the Republic of Ireland in 2007. The (National Police) Garda Siochana continues to view counter terrorism as a priority issue. III. Post Specific Concerns: ¶5. (U) Driving in Ireland is on the left-hand side of the road, which sometimes causes problems for American drivers. This difficulty is compounded by narrow, winding roads. If planning to drive in Ireland, begin slowly so you become comfortable and knowledgeable about your environment and vehicle, and plan your routes before setting out. Also be aware that local drivers will pass, both legally and illegally, and at inopportune times. It is common practice for the car being passed to move on to the hard shoulder on the left side of the road. In 2007 there has been a major clamp-down on road traffic laws in Ireland which has seen a decrease in road deaths here. The new penalty point system, which was introduced in 2006, has created awareness among motorists and has helped curb offences. Random breath testing has been increased and arrests for driving under the influence have increased 300% in 2007. The Irish Government is moving to a zero tolerance when it comes to drinking and driving. ¶6. (U) There are no other post-specific concerns. IV. Police Response: ¶7. (U) The National Police (Garda Siochana) is a well trained, professional national police force of approximately 12,500 sworn officers. There is a shortage of manpower, while the Irish Government is working on increasing manpower to 15,000 officers by the latter end of 2008. The National Police also started in 2006 a Reserve Police Force of 900 individuals, to help with community policing. It is working to increase the reserve police to 1,500 officers by the latter end of 2008. The National Police are responsible for law enforcement throughout the Republic of Ireland. ¶8. (U) Support for foreigners who are the victims of crime is excellent with a well-established victim support unit. Emergency notification of the National Police or other emergency services is as follows: 24 hour emergency service (police, fire, ambulance, coast guard): Tel 999, or 112, The Garda Siochana Headquarters is in Dublin and can be contacted at 01-666-0000. ¶9. (U) Women's Aid: toll free 1-800-341-900 or in Dublin at 01-868-4721, e-mail - info@womensaid.ie or for more information log onto www.womensaid.ie. Tourist Victim Support can be reached at 01-478-5295 or can be e-mailed info@itas.ie. More information can be found on their website www.itas.ie. For assistance during incidents of arrest or harassment, Americans should contact the Embassy's American Citizen Services at 01-668-8777, ext 2400 ¶V. Medical Emergencies: ¶10. (U) In a medical emergency call 999 or 112, the emergency phone number and the operator will dispatch an ambulance anywhere in Ireland. The Ambulance Service will take Patients to the closest suitable hospital. There are six 24-hour-service hospitals in Dublin with a bed capacity of approximately 3000. Emergency room services tend to be oversubscribed; patients can expect waits up to 12 hours before being seen. Its not uncommon for persons treated in an emergency room to spend up to four days in the emergency room or surrounding hallway, waiting for a hospital room Children needing hospital attention should be taken to one of the three children's hospitals in the Dublin area: Tallaght, Our Lady's Hospital for Sick Children (Crumlin),and Children's Hospital Temple Street. Outside of Dublin, most major cities have a hospital; please consult with emergency services to locate the nearest medical facilities. ¶11. (U) Each of the hospitals mentioned above have physicians and specialists on duty with more on call. Disease control specialists can be contacted through the Community Health Division of the Department of Health, 01-635-4252. Medical supplies are readily available through local suppliers who can be found in the yellow pages. The Blood Transfusion Service Board, 01-432-2800, is a government agency and can handle any requirement. Response time for air medical evacuation is approximately 4-6 hours. The closest commercial evacuation service is the Heathrow Ambulance Service located at Heathrow International Airport in London and can be contacted at 0044-181-897-6185. VI. Security Tips: ¶12. (U) Like any other European country, Ireland has its share of crime problems. As one might expect, Crime tends to be more concentrated in the larger cities, such as Dublin, Limerick or Cork. However, regardless of location, Americans visiting Ireland should maintain the same level of awareness and institute the same security practices prudent while visiting any large city. Items of value should not be left in vehicles in plain view, day or night. Criminals often watch unsuspecting tourists place valuables in their vehicle trunks at popular tourist sites and then break in after the individuals have moved away from the car. ¶13. (U) Questions can be directed to the Regional Security Officer, Terry L. Cobble, at 011-353-1-630-6215.