Low garda numbers leading to serious crime in Dublin says Ward

Sinn Féin spokesperson for Dublin and Community Safety, Mark Ward TD, has criticised successive said that government policy of not increasing garda numbers is leading to serious crime across Dublin.

Central Statistics Office figures reveal there was a 9% increase in attempts/threats to murder, assault and harassment in Dublin in 2024 compared to the same period in 2023.

Since Fine Gael took office in 2011, the number of gardaí in Dublin have decreased from 4,002 to 3,809, which Ward says fails to take into account the growing Irish population.

Garda numbers in Dublin have decreased from 4,002 to 3,809 since Fine Gael first took office in 2011, this despite an increase in the population during the same time period.

“At a time when we need more Gardaí on our streets, successive Justice Ministers have failed to address the crisis in Garda recruitment and retention,” he said.

“Comparing CSO figures released for 2024 and for  the same period in 2023, there has been a 9% increase in the number of attempts/threats of murder, assault and harassment in Dublin.”

“Dublin had the highest increase in of these offences than any other region; it it is clear for everyone to see that Garda number in the capital have declined.”

“Is it any wonder that people throughout Dublin do not feel safe?

Ward also highlighted CSO figures which showed an 8% increase in weapon and explosive offences and a 13% increase in public order and social code offences.

“Minister Jim O’Callaghan should be well aware of public safety issues in Dublin, he said some parts of the city were not safe. He has failed to say where these parts are,” he said.

“To make Dublin communities safe, we need a significant ramping up of the number of gardaí that are being trained every year. That requires a plan from Minister O’Callaghan to increase garda training capacity.

“This plan must include consideration of Sinn Féin’s proposal to open a second Garda training college and early engagement with Gardaí that are eligible to retire,

“Dubliners deserve to feel safe and both Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael don’t seem able to deliver that.”