Dublin needs Garda unit to ‘reclaim streets’, says Fianna Fáil

Fianna Fáil has said a special Garda unit should "reclaim the streets" from people intent on public disorder and antisocial behaviour in Dublin city centre.

The party's justice spokesman Niall Collins has brought forward a bill to establish a new unit charged with improving safety and tackling petty crime. He described it as a constructive proposal to help clean up the city.

“It’s about saying to the Government it’s time to sit up and take notice of what we have been saying for a long time now in relation to Dublin city centre,” Mr Collins said.

“To reclaim the streets for the people of Dublin, for the people who live and who work and who visit here, particularly in advance of the next year’s Easter Rising centenary celebrations.

“We don’t want to see the kind of carry-on that’s going on in the streets in the run [up] to the centenary celebrations.”

Mr Collins said lessons could be learned from his native Limerick. “I’m not from Dublin. I work here. I’m from Limerick, where we had a significant gangland problem,” he said.

Mr Collins said that a dedicated Garda response unit was sent into Limerick to deal with the situation there.

Liffey boardwalk

Fianna Fáil’s Dublin spokesman, Senator Darragh O’Brien, highlighted problems associated with the boardwalk along the River Liffey.

“Dubliners are sick of having to turn a blind eye to the ever increasing prevalence of drugs, alcohol abuse, petty theft, vandalism and antisocial behaviour in the city centre,” Mr O’Brien said.

“The boardwalk along the Liffey has become a drugs haven and it’s extremely upsetting and intimidating for Dubliners and tourists alike.”

Mr O’Brien said commuters using public transport were frequently subjected to antisocial behaviour on their journeys into and out of town.

“Petty thefts, muggings and bike thefts are on the increase. It’s very frustrating that this great city is being marred by such behaviour.”