A DESIGNATED Garda squad should be assigned to deal with anti-social behaviour, Fianna Fáil backbencher Tom McEllistrim suggested in the Dáil.
Mr McEllistrim, who represents Kerry North, said that “visibility, the use of a ‘paddy wagon’ and a robust but fair approach to public disorder would pay social dividends in the long term”.
He urged Minister for Justice Dermot Ahern to establish such a squad on a pilot basis in Tralee, Co Kerry, and Abbeyfeale, Co Limerick.
“The Garda already has a number of special squads, including the traffic corps which deals with drink-driving and speeding, the drugs squad and the special crime squad,” said Mr McEllistrim.
It was unfortunate, he said, that many people seemed to be unable to have a night out without causing annoyance, distress or harm to others.
“Their social night out develops, usually with the aid of alcohol and possibly other substances, into an anti-social experience for everyone around them,” he added.
“Fuelled by substances they would be better-off without, they can make life a misery for the public, local businesses, the Garda and emergency service personnel.”
Mr McEllistrim said that “intoxication in a public place, disorderly conduct, threatening, abusive or insulting behaviour, assault, violent disorder and personal attacks” were all examples of some of the many types of disorderly behaviour and public order offences adversely affecting the quality of life in towns and cities.
Mr McEllistrim said that a zero-tolerance approach by the Garda, which involved a complete clampdown on unruly behaviour, resulted in more than 100 arrests for public order offences in Kerry’s three main towns in one weekend in early May.
“Arrests for fighting, drink-driving, possession of drugs and other offences reached the three-figure mark and there were 32 arrests in Tralee alone,” he added.
“Garda reinforcements, including members of the dog unit, were drafted in to help to keep the peace on the streets where people were partying until the early hours.”
Minister of State for Health John Moloney, replying on behalf of Mr Ahern, said that strong pro-visions were already in place to combat anti-social behaviour, including the Criminal Justice (Public Order) Act and the Intoxicating Liquor Act.
In addition, the Criminal Justice (Public Order) Act provided the Garda with powers to deal with late-night violence and anti-social conduct.
Mr Moloney said that the Minister for Justice had been informed that the Garda authorities proactively targeted public disorder and anti-social behaviour in Tralee.
