Dublin’s ‘climate of fear’ slammed

THE new chairman of the Citywide Joint Policing Committee has called on the Government to find the political will to tackle the city’s

“climate of fear

?.

Fianna Fáil councillor for Ballyfermot-Drimnagh, Daithí de Róiste, says a recent upsurge in violent crime should act as a wake-up call.

“It appears the Government have almost come to accept that serious crime in Dublin is something we just need to get used to,

? he said.

“Open drug use on our streets is not acceptable. Aggressive begging is not acceptable. Mugging is not acceptable.The hijacking of taxis is not acceptable. Gun crime is not acceptable. Government inaction is not acceptable.

?

Cllr de Róiste believes the Joint Policing Committee has a vital role to play in tackling crime issues facing Dublin and is calling for

“meaningful action

? from all political parties.

“The formation of the new Citywide JPC will involve businesses and community representatives and I am keen to see as wide a consultation as possible in the days and weeks ahead on which representatives will serve on the committee,

? he added.

Cllr de Róiste wants Minister for Justice, Frances Fitzgerald, to establish a stand-alone public order unit with a high visibility Garda team for Dublin City Centre.

“It’s time we started to reclaim our streets from people who have no respect for the rule of law or society overall,

? he said.