The random violence that disfigures our cities and towns claimed another victim at the weekend. A young man now lies in hospital fighting for his life following a savage, late-night assault by a group of thugs in the centre of Dublin. The Garda Commissioner, Mr Pat Byrne, says that he must work within the budget he has been allocated. The Association of Garda Sergeants and Inspectors has expressed concern over a lack of resources.
And the Minister for Justice, Mr McDowell, has promised legislation to tackle alcohol and substance abuse, under-aged drinking and late-night street violence.
It would be impossible for the police to prevent all such assaults. But the absence of high-profile foot patrols in the centre of cities and towns at the time when young, intoxicated men spill out onto the streets provides an opportunity for them to indulge their animal instincts. In cities like Paris, where tourism is highly developed, police foot patrols are highly visible. If the Irish hospitality sector is not to suffer from extremely negative publicity, changes will have to be introduced to assure tourists and ordinary citizens that they can attend such places in safety.
The last attempt by the Garda Síochána to tackle late-night, drink-related hooliganism was Operation Oíche which - as a once-off development - was regarded as quite successful. The nub of the matter, however, is that the last Government extended pub and club opening hours considerably without providing the resources necessary to change the policing schedules to deal with the new situation. And, even before publication of the latest damning crime statistics, which showed major increases in crime and in sexual and common assault, the Coalition Government had effectively shelved its election promises to put extra gardaí on the beat.
Exactly a year ago, Fianna Fáil and the Progressive Democrats promised to employ an extra 2,000 gardaí during the lifetime of this Government, but this commitment is unlikely to be realised. The Minister for Finance, Mr McCreevy, is seeking to reduce numbers in the public service by 5,000.
The size of the problem created by alcohol and substance abuse was highlighted last month when doctors from a number of hospitals around the State reported that between 10 and 15 per cent of all admissions to their accident and emergency units were alcohol related. The Minister for Justice promised legislative action at the Progressive Democrats conference in Galway. And he repeated those assurances when he addressed the Association of Garda Sergeants and Inspectors yesterday.
New laws are important in order to make it easier to prosecute those publicans who sell drink to intoxicated clients or who facilitate under-aged drinking. But the legislation promised by this Government and its predecessor has taken too long to prepare. The patience of the public is wearing thin. The time has come for action, in terms of legislation and more thorough policing.