A meeting will take place tomorrow to address the problem of antisocial behaviour on Dublin's Millennium Boardwalk by the Liffey.
The boardwalk, which attracts many tourists to rest, view the river and drink coffee, has become a magnet for people with alcohol and drug problems.
A Garda spokesman said yesterday that an operation to tackle the problem resulted in 46 arrests in the first two months of operation, and the problem has escalated this month and in July.
Between April 2006, when the operation began, and June 2006 gardaí arrested 26 people under the drugs misuse Act and 20 for public order offences. They also carried out 404 searches under the misuse of drugs Act during that period.
A cross-section of agencies, including the Homeless Agency, Focus Ireland, addiction services and community groups, will discuss measures to address the needs of those congregating on the boardwalk and at other Dublin city centre locations at tomorrow's meeting .
"It's not yet clear whether the problem relates to housing or drugs, so the meeting will focus on that so the relevant support can be delivered," said Derval Howley, director of the Homeless Agency. "It does seem to be one of the main places people go during the day."
A spokesperson for the Merchant's Quay project, which works with the homeless and people affected by drug abuse, says the combination of good weather and a lack of day centres for homeless people means more may be congregating along the promenade during the peak tourism season.
The boardwalk, which stretches from Grattan Bridge to Butt Bridge, was built as a tourist amenity as part of Dublin's millennium projects and was completed in 2000. Last May, a month after the Garda operation began, Dublin City Council erected a number of signs along the boardwalk informing people that the consumption of intoxicating liquor in a public place is prohibited. The council says it has received no complaints from the public since.
However, employees of the kiosks on the boardwalk say the antisocial behaviour is continuing to affect business and that most of the clientele now consists of tourists.
"It's not good for business and it's not good for the tourists," says one vendor, who did not want to be identified. He has witnessed several incidents involving alcohol in the past month. "It's the worst on sunny days when there are lots of customers. The guards are watching but when they come the people just put away their drinks and take it out when they are gone."
"I don't really feel safe, to be honest. But I have a security camera if anyone comes," he said indicating the camera and monitor set up on a top shelf.
"We won't call the guards unless something really bad happens," said the vendor.