New Garda unit call

A NORTHSIDE local election candidate has demanded the establishment of a new Garda unit that would be dedicated to tackling drug dealing, gang crime and anti-social behaviour in the city centre.

However, the Department of Justice told Northside People that the gardaí already have a range of measures and targeted operations in place within the framework of a Dublin City Centre Policing Plan to tackle the problem.

Brian Mohan, A Fianna Fail candidate in the north inner city ward for the local elections, said that under his party’s proposals, the unit would focus specifically on public order crimes on the capital’s main commercial streets. It would also have its own dedicated support team and management structure within An Garda Síochána.

“I think it is high time the people living in this city felt safer walking the streets and that gangs and drug dealers are taken off our street corners,

? Mr Mohan told Northside People.

“This new Garda unit would maintain a visible presence on the city’s main streets 24/7. We need to take back the city streets from the criminal elements that seem to act against people and property as if there is no punishment.

“We only need to look at recent violent incidents in town to know that action is needed.

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Mr Mohan said crime and public safety was a major concern with voters in the local elections.

“I have been meeting a lot of people in the north inner city over the last few weeks and some of the issues coming up regularly are anti-social behaviour, drug dealing and vandalism,

? he stated.

“What I’m really looking at tackling here is what might be termed low-level offences like vandalism, shoplifting, theft and drug use.

“We need to restore a sense of community in the inner city and we need to protect it.

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Mr Mohan added:

“A new public order unit dedicated to the city would go a long way to tackling the local crime and safety concerns that I am hearing on the ground.

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Recently in the Dail, Dublin Bay North TD Sean Kenny (Lab) called for additional high visibility patrols to be assigned to the Temple Bar area, and adjoining streets each weekend to robustly tackle alcohol related incidents.

Minister for Justice Alan Shatter told Deputy Kenny:

“The Garda Commissioner is responsible for the deployment of personnel and Garda management keep this under continuing review in the context of crime trends and policing priorities so as to ensure that the best possible use is made of these resources.

“I share the issues of concern the Deputy has raised and would draw his attention to the Dublin City Centre Policing Plan which has been operational since June 2013 and includes dedicated high visibility patrols in key commercial and public thoroughfares.

“These patrols are informed by crime trends, demand led studies and footfall in the areas in question.

“As part of this plan, a dedicated Public Order Van is deployed during the weekend.

“In addition to routine plain clothes patrols, dedicated plain clothes foot patrols are assigned to the Temple Bar area and adjoining streets each Friday and Saturday night under Operation Aughrim.

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Minister Shatter also wrote to another Dublin Bay North TD, Terence Flanagan, recently after he raised the issue of people drinking in public and being involved in anti-social behaviour in the north inner city.