11/03/2015

Public Meetings To Be Held On Crime Increase Across Dublin

Fianna Fáil has announced a series of public meetings on "the rising levels of crime" across Dublin.

The party's spokesperson on justice, Niall Collins, has accused the government of "standing idly by as Dublin communities suffer a spike in crime, drug abuse and anti-social behaviour".

Speaking ahead of the first in a series of public meetings, Deputy Collins said: "There is not one community in Dublin that hasn’t suffered a spike in burglaries, robberies, assaults, drug related crime or petty crime in the past four years. Some areas, particularly in the West of the city, have seen an alarming increase in violent attacks and gun crime.  It’s extremely worrying and absolutely nothing is being done about it.

"This Government is burying its head in the sand about Dublin’s escalating crime problem. Through a slash and burn of community garda resources, the dismantling of garda drugs squads, the removal of a dedicated Minister for Drugs, the reduction in garda personnel and the downgrading of specialised units this Government is undermining the very structures that work to prevent and tackle crime in Dublin.

"Dublin's crime problem is now one of the biggest issues facing people right across this city regardless of where they live. I have spent time recently visiting communities across the capital and many Dubliners are despairing at the level of crime and drug abuse on their doorsteps. People are upset to see our beautiful city centre become tainted by disturbing images of blatant drug dealing in broad daylight on busy thoroughfares right in front of businesses, passing families and tourists.

"We are holding a series of meetings across the capital in the coming weeks to listen to people's concerns about the reality of community safety in Dublin today. It's time for Dubliners to stand up and say enough is enough. We need a tough stance against crime in this city. The gardaí must be supported in having an increased presence in communities and in running intelligence led operations targeting drugs criminals. We also need to reinstate the Minister for Drugs to oversee a crackdown on drug crime."

Deputy Collins will hold a public meeting in the Skylon Hotel in Drumcondra tonight, Wednesday 11 March 2015.

Meetings will also be held in Fettercairn, Finglas, Swords, Dun Laoghaire and Dublin-Rathdown in the coming weeks.

(MH/CD)

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