Government “sleepwalking” through public safety crisis says Gannon

Central Statistics Office statistics for 2024 show an increase in weapons offences, burglaries and kidnappings.

The figures come as no surprise to Social Democrats TD Gary Gannon, who remarked, “the Minister for Justice talks tough on crime without taking action.”

The Dublin Central TD, who serves as the party spokesperson on justice, said, “the CSO report paints a picture of a policing strategy flailing aimlessly in the face of rising crime.”

“All facets of this crisis are going in the wrong direction,” he said.

Burglaries rose by 10% in the 12 months up to September 2024, while instances of theft were up 7%.

“Garda recruitment and retention numbers continue to plummet due to pay and conditions, cultural issues and a broken application process known to leave hundreds of recruits in limbo while our neighbourhood streets lie empty,” Gannon noted.

“The Garda Commissioner has lost the trust of the force’s rank-and-file, a fact that the Minister for Justice seems fine with, given his lack of action on the matter.”

“Talking tough without your own house in order – or, in this case, a police force and an entire department – can only deceive for so long before criminal factions see this as a weakness they can exploit, and that’s reflected in the numbers we’re seeing today.”

Gannon said “we need a coordinated multi-agency strategy to reduce crime, one that is informed by international best practice and funded accordingly by the state.

“This includes bolstering our youth diversion schemes, offering education and advice to at-risk groups, developing restorative justice programmes and taking a health-based approach towards addiction.

“Only when we see crime for what it really is, a group of unique problems which require a unique set of solutions, can we begin to make our streets safer.

“This issue has been treated with little or no respect for too long now – it’s time for the Minister to take action and progress real reforms.

Borrowing a phrase from Tony Blair-era Labour in the UK, Gannon said, “we must not just be tough on crime, but tough on the causes of crime.”