Lahart says constituents are concerned about rise in anti-social behaviour

 John Lahart TD, alongside fellow Fianna Fáil Dublin Parliamentary Party representatives, met with Assistant Garda Commissioner Angela Willis recently to discuss the findings of the party’s recent Dublin-focused crime and anti-social behaviour survey.

The survey, which gathered insights from nearly 1,500 respondents, highlights what the party calls a “growing concern” among Dubliners regarding public safety and the effectiveness of current measures.

Constituents in Lahart’s constituency of Dublin South West were among the highest number of respondents.

The survey revealed that over 65% of respondents reported personally witnessing anti-social behaviour, with more than 90% believing that such behaviour has significantly worsened over the past decade.

Additionally, almost 90% of respondents supported Fianna Fáil’s call for a 24-hour, 7-day-a-week criminal District Court in Dublin, ensuring that offenders can be brought before the court without delay.

The Fianna Fáil Parliamentary Party passed a motion advocating for a series of robust measures, including:

• Establishment of a 24/7 Criminal District Court.
• Proactive monitoring and enforcement of bail conditions for those awaiting trial.
• Implementation of a minimum 60-minute foot or pedal bike patrol by Gardaí during every shift.
• Deployment of dedicated community Gardaí on a small area policing basis.
• Assignment of dedicated Gardaí to public transport systems.
• A targeted, zero-tolerance approach to drug dealing, anti-social, and criminal behaviour in public spaces and residential complexes, involving Gardaí, Dublin Council’s estate management, area management, and justice diversion programmes.
• Community service and restorative justice initiatives for those convicted.
• A review of Garda station locations and hours of operation in Dublin, with a focus on planning for additional stations in growing population areas.

Lahurt highlighted the urgency of tackling these challenges, stating, “the rise in anti-social behaviour and menacing behaviour is not just a threat and a menace to the daily lives of Dublin residents, but it also undermines the very fabric of our community.”

“Ensuring a safe and secure environment is crucial for the prosperity of Dublin. I am dedicated to collaborating with law enforcement to introduce effective solutions that will foster long-term safety and strengthen our community.

There are growing areas in my constituency, such as CityWest, which really ought to have its one Garda station by now and some real reform of Garda divisions in my view, needs to be undertaken, to reflect the changing trends in crime in Dublin.”