Concern over sharing of criminal incidents online

Callum Lavery 

NORTHSIDE residents are fearful of increased anti-social behaviour following incidents of crime being shared on social media, according to a local TD.  

Dublin Bay North TD Sean Haughey (FF) said: “In recent months a number of incidents of public order and anti-social behaviour have been brought to my attention by constituents and via social media platforms. 

“I recently wrote to the Garda Commissioner Drew Harris to raise concerns regarding these incidents in Dublin North and specially in the Raheny area surrounding St Anne’s Park. 

“Our local Garda Superintendent has informed me that gardaí were called out to deal with one such incident on February 16.”

Deputy Haughey blamed a lack of resources offered to gardaí that has led to an increase in crime on the Northside and he believes residents do not feel safe in their own area. 

“Limited Garda resources pose challenges to the adequate policing of our communities but equally it is impossible for gardaí to effectively respond to anti-social behaviour and reprimand those responsible if they do not receive our assistance in reporting an incident,” he said. 

“Local residents are not satisfied with the response to date and are growing increasingly worried about their safety and the safety of their children. 

“It’s true to say that they do not feel protected and it would seem that a group of disorderly thugs are causing an awful lot of worry for people locally.

“We all need to keep a watchful eye on how this develops and to make sure to send a strong message that crime in our area will not be tolerated in any circumstance.”

Deputy Haughey said he planned to continue highlighting the issue with Minister for Justice Charlie Flanagan. 

A spokesperson for the Garda Press Office said the Minister is currently working on ways to help the community and increase Garda presence. 

“Minister Flanagan, together with the Garda Commissioner, is committed to ensuring that community safety is protected,” the spokesperson told Northside People. 

“The Minister’s commitment is reflected in the substantial increase in the Garda Budget for 2019 and the proactive approach being taken to tackle anti-social behaviour, especially in particular hotspots as identified by An Garda Síochána.”

“Garda management provides for frequent uniform and plain-clothes patrols within the district. These patrols are supported by Divisional Units, including the Divisional and District Drugs Units, Road Policing personnel and Community Engagement personnel, who also perform foot and mountain bike patrols in the locality.“

The spokesperson said the gardaí are urging people to report criminal incidents directly to them and not just post it on social media platforms, and that plans to increase Garda numbers are underway.

“The allocation of resources and Garda personnel, while a matter for the Garda Commissioner, is determined by a number of factors including the level of reported criminality in an area,” the spokesperson added. 

“The Commissioner has stated that An Garda Síochána will recruit 600 new gardaí in 2019. He has committed to further civilianisation to fill critical skills gaps and enable the further redeployment of gardaí to frontline duties.”