Dublin may learn from North on policing plans

Dublin City Council and the Garda are in talks over the introduction of new community policing measures that would target public disorder and anti-social behaviour in the city.

Discussions over the move are taking place through the Lord Mayor's Commission on Crime and Policing, which will today meet the vice-chairman of Northern Ireland's Policing Board, Mr Denis Bradley, to see whether community policing models in the North could be applied in Dublin.

The Dublin Lord Mayor, Mr Michael Conaghan, said the newly established commission had already met Garda management and the Minister for Justice, Mr McDowell, and both had signalled support for the introduction of formal community policing arrangements in the capital.

Mr Conaghan said there were three "ah hoc" community policing initiatives in Dublin at present - in the north inner city, Rialto and Cabra - but "they vary a great deal in composition and resourcing".

In addition, such measures tended to "rise and fall on the basis of the energy or commitment of a local superintendent".

The commission, which was established by the newly-elected city council in September, is to make recommendations to the Minister next month, not only in the area of community policing but also on the possibility of introducing 24-hour courts to act as a deterrent against street crime.

Mr Conaghan said a delegation from the commission planned to travel to New York next February to see how round-the-clock community courts worked there.

Community policing measures in Wales and Northern Ireland are also to be scrutinised by the body, which comprises elected representatives, city management and outside experts in criminology.

In proposing changes to policing structures in the capital, the commission hopes to shape the final outcome of the Garda Síochána Bill, which is due to be published by the Minister shortly.

Mr Conaghan said he had already had two separate meetings with Mr McDowell, who had appointed a liaison person to the commission. The body has also met the Garda Commissioner, Mr Noel Conroy, and Assistant Commissioner Mr Al McHugh.

"The overall impression I have is that the Minister and the commissioner are keen on partnership," Mr Conaghan said.

The commission is also meeting business groups, publicans, youth groups, residents and members of the legal profession, including judges - headed by Judge Peter Smithwick, president of the District Court - to get their input into discussions.

Mr Conaghan said the commission wanted to hear from the public, especially those adversely affected by anti-social behaviour.

"Our intent is to influence the final content and shape of the Bill, and the ethos of the Bill, so that it takes into account the concerns of local people."

Submissions can be sent to the Mansion House (or emailed to lordmayor@dublincity.ie).