Independent.ie
Independent.ie
By Tom BradySaturday May 29 2010More than a hundred potential victims of human trafficking have been identified by immigration officers, according to the annual report of An Garda Siochana.The report, which was published yesterday, said an operation started last year by the Garda National Immigration Bureau had led to inquiries into over 300 incidents involving "marriages of convenience".These involve organised marriages between asylum seekers to boost their chances of being allowed to stay in the country.The operation has pinpointed a group of people suspected of arranging the marriages for a fee.According to the report, 106 potential trafficking victims have been identified so far and in one investigation five people were arrested in the North West for alleged involvement in sexual exploitation.The arrests resulted from 19 searches and the investigation remained on going.The report no longer contains the annual crime statistics, which are now published by the Central Statistics Office.But it pointed out that the number of arrests for domestic violence-related incidents had increased during 2009, while the detection rate for sexual offences had also risen.Investigations into sex crimes, including allegations of clerical child sexual abuse, are to become more streamlined with the setting up of a dedicated unit, which will oversee all inquiries and monitor progress being made at local level.A comprehensive training programme has been undertaken by 55 gardai from all divisions as well as members of the Probation Service and this is aimed at managing the risk posed by sex offenders.RiskA risk assessment model has been drawn up to establish the likelihood of them re-offending. Currently, there are about 1,100 people on the sex offenders register.Where a risk is identified, a divisional inspector will be directed to put in place a management plan, aimed at reducing the threat posed to the community.Figures released for the Criminal Assets Bureau (CAB) in 2009 showed that it collected about €5.1m in income from criminal conduct and handed over €1.4m to the Finance Minister as a result of court orders during the year.Under social welfare legislation, CAB made savings of about €720,000 from all schemes and another €790,000 was identified as overpayments in social welfare schemes, with €160,000 recovered.The CAB also continued its programme of expanding a divisional profiler network and an extra 26 profilers were trained, bringing the total to 126.Garda Commissioner Fachtna Murphy said the report also detailed the continued focus on drugs and the significant seizures and arrests that had been made in 2009.He said he was determined that gardai working locally in the community, in partnership with the national units, would continue their efforts towards tackling the supply reduction side as well as concentrating on law enforcement.- Tom Brady
By Tom Brady
Saturday May 29 2010
More than a hundred potential victims of human trafficking have been identified by immigration officers, according to the annual report of An Garda Siochana.
The report, which was published yesterday, said an operation started last year by the Garda National Immigration Bureau had led to inquiries into over 300 incidents involving "marriages of convenience".
These involve organised marriages between asylum seekers to boost their chances of being allowed to stay in the country.
The operation has pinpointed a group of people suspected of arranging the marriages for a fee.
According to the report, 106 potential trafficking victims have been identified so far and in one investigation five people were arrested in the North West for alleged involvement in sexual exploitation.
The arrests resulted from 19 searches and the investigation remained on going.
The report no longer contains the annual crime statistics, which are now published by the Central Statistics Office.
But it pointed out that the number of arrests for domestic violence-related incidents had increased during 2009, while the detection rate for sexual offences had also risen.
Investigations into sex crimes, including allegations of clerical child sexual abuse, are to become more streamlined with the setting up of a dedicated unit, which will oversee all inquiries and monitor progress being made at local level.
A comprehensive training programme has been undertaken by 55 gardai from all divisions as well as members of the Probation Service and this is aimed at managing the risk posed by sex offenders.
Risk
A risk assessment model has been drawn up to establish the likelihood of them re-offending. Currently, there are about 1,100 people on the sex offenders register.
Where a risk is identified, a divisional inspector will be directed to put in place a management plan, aimed at reducing the threat posed to the community.
Figures released for the Criminal Assets Bureau (CAB) in 2009 showed that it collected about €5.1m in income from criminal conduct and handed over €1.4m to the Finance Minister as a result of court orders during the year.
Under social welfare legislation, CAB made savings of about €720,000 from all schemes and another €790,000 was identified as overpayments in social welfare schemes, with €160,000 recovered.
The CAB also continued its programme of expanding a divisional profiler network and an extra 26 profilers were trained, bringing the total to 126.
Garda Commissioner Fachtna Murphy said the report also detailed the continued focus on drugs and the significant seizures and arrests that had been made in 2009.
He said he was determined that gardai working locally in the community, in partnership with the national units, would continue their efforts towards tackling the supply reduction side as well as concentrating on law enforcement.
- Tom Brady
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