Dublin TD calls for stronger Government response to tackling violence in City Centre

Dublin Central TD Gary Gannon has called for stronger Government interventions when it comes to addressing crime in Dublin City Centre. 

Deputy Gannon said “dereliction, heavily littered streets and poor lighting are making our capital city feel unsafe.”

The Social Democrats TD referenced the assault of Ukrainian actor Oleksandr Hrekov on Eden Quay last weekend, which he said served as a “stark reminder of how dangerous Dublin city centre has become at night.”

Hrekov had travelled to Dublin to perform in a Kyiv theatre company’s production of Brian Friel’s Translations, and was assaulted near the Abbey Theatre following Saturday evening’s performance.

The actor was taken to the Mater Hospital with “serious” injuries that required stitches but is “recovering well” according to a spokesperson for the Abbey Theatre.

“It is simply appalling that a person coming from a war-torn country on a cultural endeavour to Ireland should be attacked in such a cowardly and brutal manner,” he said, adding “unfortunately, for those of us living or working in Dublin city centre, the most recent incident will come as little surprise.”

Gannon cited statistics from the Dublin South Central Garda Division, where there has been a “90% rise in serious assaults.”

“Dublin is a beautiful, vibrant and friendly city and I am immensely proud of it. However, when this city goes dark, you are better off taking yourself out of it as it just isn’t safe, particularly on certain streets.”

Deputy Gannon said among locals, the much-touted O’Connell Street Garda station “has not made a noticeable difference to the physical policing presence in this part of Dublin city centre.”

The Dublin Central TD has called for a Taoiseach-led, multi-agency approach to tackling the issue, saying “the Government needs to get in front of this.”

“Creeping dereliction, heavily littered streets and poor lighting all contribute to how the city feels.”

“The Government has ignored repeated calls from me for a Taoiseach-led taskforce to tackle crime, drug addiction, littering and dereliction in the vicinity of O’Connell Street – it is time to put this proposal back on the agenda” he said.