As part of the ongoing investigation into the criminal damage by fire of safety camera van 11 KK 491 at Ashwood Lower, Gorey, Wexford on 13/3/11 Gardai at Gorey carried out a number of searches this morning in the Gorey area and have arrested 3 males.
Two of these males, who are in their late teens, are currently detained at Wexford Garda Station. The third, a juvenile, is detained at Gorey Garda Station. All three are detained under Section 4 of The Criminal Justice Act 1984.
Previous press release listed below, refers.
Garda Press Office.
Gardai in Gorey are this morning renewing their appeal for information on a suspected arson attack on a GoSafe operated marked Garda mobile safety camera van on the old N11 road.
The Garda Commissioner Martin Callinan has condemned last night's attack. He said:
"GoSafe are working on a daily basis to assist An Garda Síochána in reducing speed-related collisions and stop loss of life and serious injury on our roads. Their work at the side of the country's roads helps to save many in our communities from the tragedy and pain of the loss of family and friends in road collisions. It is so wrong that this vital work directed at making our community safer for everyone should be the subject of such mindless attack. We are fortunate that no one was injured in last night's incident and I want to condemn it in the strongest terms."
The incident occurred at approximately 7.30pm on the 13.03.11. The van was extensively damaged by a fire believed to be started deliberately. No one was injured in the incident.
Gardai would like to hear from anyone who may have seen anything unusual or suspicious in and around a Citreon Relay van registration 11 kk 491 between 7pm and 7.30pm on the 13.03.11. The van was parked approximately 1km South of Arklow on the Gorey Road, the old N11.
Witnesses or anyone who may be able to assist the gardai with their investigation are asked to contact Gorey Garda Station on 053-9430690, The Garda Confidential Telephone Line 1800 666 111 or any Garda Station.
Note to Editors about the GoSafe system
In addition to An Garda Síochána operating its own speed enforcement equipment, the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform and the Garda Commissioner contracted a company called GoSafe to operate mobile safety cameras in Ireland on behalf of the organisation. The Garda National Traffic Bureau (GNTB) determines the locations and times of the safety camera operations.
The safety cameras are operated by trained GoSafe personnel. GoSafe is paid based only on the number of hours completed. There is no financial incentive associated with increased detection rates as the hourly rate to be paid is not linked in any way to the number of detections made.
As well as enforcement hours, the cameras survey and count the number and speed of vehicles. The safety cameras operate during the day and at night-time, seven days a week.
On a phased basis, GoSafe will provide 6,000 enforcement hours and 1,475 survey hours per month across the country. For the 6,000 enforcement hours, the cameras will operate from vans which will be marked with high visibility reflective material and will display a safety camera symbol. Images of the vans are available on the Garda website.
The survey hours will be conducted from unmarked vans, in order to accurately observe and record the speeds at which vehicles are currently travelling, for survey purposes only.
An extensive analysis of collisions on the road network has been completed. The sections of roads identified were found to have a significant proportion of collisions where speed was a contributory factor. The locations of these roads are available by clicking on the map on the Garda website.
Ongoing surveys will be conducted to ensure that safety cameras will continue to be on roads all across Ireland where, as a result of inappropriate speed, fatal and injury collisions are happening. These sections of the road network will be where An Garda Síochána will be focussing our speed monitoring and enforcement.
Garda Press Office.
11:45hrs 14/03/11
