Finglas: Efforts to tackle gang crime ‘hampered’ by lack of Garda resources

Garda commissioner Drew Harris has been called on to increase Garda resources and personnel in Dublin north-west in an effort to tackle the increase in drug-related crime.

Sinn Fein TD for the area Dessie Ellis says attempts to suppress crime and violence in the community has been “hampered” by a “lack of proper resources.”

Deputy Ellis spoke in the Dail earlier this month about how there is a “clear imbalance” in the number of Gardaí in Finglas compared to other areas.

“It is clear from an analysis of Garda resources from throughout the country that there is significant variation in the numbers of gardaí relative to the size of communities,” he said.

“An analysis of Garda manpower throughout the country’s 28 divisions highlights wide variations in the strength of the force relative to the size of communities, creating an obvious imbalance in the way these communities are being served.

“For example, Limerick city, with a population of approximately 95,000, has 377 gardaí serving the community.

“Finglas, by contrast, which has a population of 40,000, has approximately 90 gardaí covering the area,” he said.

Deputy Ellis said that issues “illegal drug-related activity, gang-related criminality and feuding among gangs,” are greatly affecting the Finglas area and its residents.

“Much of this activity is confined to a small number of people in a small number of areas, but it has the effect of creating a climate of fear for families, and especially the elderly, in sections of the community,” he says.

Ellis commended local Gardaí and their operation that seized guns and money from a criminal gang.

“The operation also resulted in a number of houses used by this criminal gang being boarded up by Dublin City Council.

“The gardaí would be the first to acknowledge that more needs to be done and if they had the proper resources, they could even be more effective,” he says.

Ellis also criticised the delay in appointing a community Garda in Finglas and the schedule of the Gardaí posted at the station.

“In effect, there are only a certain number of gardaí on each shift.

“Unfortunately, when people ring the Garda station they are told that there are no cars available,” he says.

“This is happening all the time and it is unacceptable.”

In response, Minister of State at the Department of Justice James Browne says the Minister of Justice Helen McEntee “has no statutory role in these operational, policing matters,” and is the matter for Garda commissioner Drew Harris.

However, Deputy Browne said that “daily reassurance patrols are being carried out in the Ratoath area in recognition of the importance of visible policing in the local community.

“Gardaí in Finglas are in ongoing contact with Dublin City Council in relation to unoccupied housing and the potential use of same by criminal elements.

“A number of addresses have been taken possession of and boarded up by Dublin City Council at the conclusion of Garda searches,” he said.

Minister Browne said according to the most recent figures available, 753 Garda members were serving the Dublin Metropolitan Region West Division which “represents an increase of 6% since December 2018 when there were 709 gardaí assigned to the district.

“As of January 31 this year, a total of 342 Garda members were assigned to Blanchardstown district, with 98 members assigned to Finglas Garda station.

“I am confident that An Garda Síochána will continue to direct significant resources to tackling the scourge of this kind of crime both in Finglas and throughout the country,” he said.