AFTER the Government announced last week that An Garda Siochana is to be beefed up with 250 new recruits this year, a local TD has called for more gardai to be specifically deployed in the city centre.
Deputy Terence Flanagan said he was happy the Government has realised that more gardaà are needed on the streets to tackle crime.
“Although statistics might show that overall crime rates have fallen, I have been contacted by a substantial number of constituents who do not feel as safe in their own homes,
? he stated.
“Another issue of concern is the increase in anti-social behaviour in Dublin city centre, which has an impact on Dubliners and visitors alike.
“Tourism is a major contributor to our economy and this industry is being affected by the level of crime on our streets.
“Recent figures show that more than 700 tourists were mugged when visiting Ireland in 2014, with most of the cases taking place in Dublin city centre.
“We cannot underestimate the impact that reports like this can have on prospective visitors to the country.
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Deputy Flanagan said he has been pursuing the need for more visible policing in Dublin with the Minister for Justice for a number of years.
“It is my view that more gardaà on the beat would lower the crime level in the city centre,
? he added.
“I hope that some of the gardaà that will have been recruited by the end of the year will be stationed in the city centre to police the area.
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Two batches of 125 new recruits will enter the Garda College in Templemore over the next number of months, which will mean that 550 new gardaà will have been recruited from September 2014 to September 2015.
Dublin Bay North TD Sean Kenny (Lab) said the move was essential for the gardai to meet future challenges.
“These new officers will greatly add to the strength of the gardaÃ,
? said Deputy Kenny.
“As well as new recruits, there has been an investment of
?¬27.5 million in new Garda vehicles over the last number of years.
“This is a huge increase in what was granted previously between budgets 2009-2011 – which was a paltry
?¬4.8 million, which demonstrates the level at which Garda resources has increased.
“The latest 370 new Garda vehicles have come on stream since the start of this year.
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Deputy Kenny said this additional investment in resources and in people was essential to the new Transformation Programme and Anti-Crime Strategy.
The strategy is currently being finalised by Garda Commissioner NoirÃn O’Sullivan.
“This investment will make it easier for An Garda Siochana to meet future challenges as it protects and upholds safety in our communities and the security of society at large,
? he added.
Alan Farrell, a Fine Gael TD for Dublin Fingal, also welcomed the news.
“Ensuring we have a strong, and visible, Garda presence in local communities throughout the north county is of the utmost importance in terms of reducing crime rates,
? he said.
“Ongoing Garda recruitment will boost the number of gardaà on our streets, which is one of the most effective deterrents to crime.”