Elderly people 'don't feel safe' due to 'normalisation of crime' in Dublin city
Dublin councillors have called for action on what they say is a noticeable increase in open drug dealing and anti-social behaviour in the city.
Sinn Féin Councillor Kourtney Kenny has called on Minister Jim O'Callaghan to address the “complete erosion of trust” between Dublin Bay South residents in the policing potential of gardaí. With concerned community members regularly reporting how unsafe they feel in their homes due to the lack of resources, she highlighted an absence of foot patrols, bike patrols, and community gardaí as a major point of concern.
“We are living through the normalisation of crime, which is further fuelling criminality and anti-social behaviour. There are elderly people as well as those with disabilities who are vulnerable and do not feel safe or supported due to the neglect of the Minister for Justice in policing his own constituency,” Cllr Kenny said in a motion at last Monday’s South East Area Committee meeting.
She stressed that businesses have suffered as a result of areas going “unchecked and unpoliced” which has left patrons feeling “exposed to violence, intimidation and even fireworks being thrown at them.”
While Cllr Kenny agreed that Dublin City Council and the gardaí are “doing their best,” she said it’s “not good enough” and “change will only come from the top down” and the support of the Minister of Justice.
The motion was supported by Green Party Cllr Claire Byrne who recognized the positive impact of increased gardaí presence in areas like Temple Bar and College Green, but that other parts of the city including Grand Canal Square and Pierce Street are being left behind.
“I come down Suffolk Street every morning and there’s illegal substances being consumed very openly,” Cllr Byrne explained. “I turn the corner and there’s gardaí on the other streets ignoring what’s happening.
“Given we have a Minister for Justice who also represents the Dublin Bay South Area I would very much welcome him to come into the chamber.” Cllr Byrne also suggested a private meeting or having local representatives walk around the city with the minister could be beneficial.
Independent Cllr Mannix Flynn said the problems extended beyond open drug use, highlighting public drunkenness and stating that other areas have much stronger enforcement around pubs with outdoor drinking and dining. “It seems the city has become undermined and disadvantaged, and while there are plenty of visible gardaí on the streets, they are not allowed to engage in any particular activity,” he said.
“For the past two years we have been in limbo as we haven’t had any public area policing forum and we’ve been getting calls as if we’re 999 receivers. People asking ‘can you help me, I’ve been brutally beaten and they're doing nothing.’
“There are kids 11 and 12 years old who are addicted and in a desperate state. I’m asking that we really address this issue of anti-social behaviour and drug taking, it’s really getting out of hand,” Cllr Flynn added.
Labour Party Cllr Dermot Lacey said that concerned representatives should consider filling the vacant spot on the community safety forum’s drug taskforce. He suggested that, as well as contacting the Minister for Justice, the council should write to the gardaí to arrange a meeting and give people an opportunity to express their concerns.
This content is funded by the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme