The Garda Commissioner, Mr Pat Byrne, has been asked by the Oireachtas Committee on Justice to prepare a comprehensive report on the recent spate of street attacks in Dublin.
The chairman of the committee, the Fianna Fail TD, Mr Sean Ardagh, confirmed last night he had requested the report to assist the committee. "The issue is one of serious concern to the public and business community, and I intend to ensure that it is given a full airing by the committee. I have sought a full report from Commissioner Byrne to assist us in plotting the most practical and effective course to address the matter," he said.
Mr Ardagh said he was concerned that there might be copycat attacks as a result of recent publicity. "That is something we are anxious to avoid," he added.
While action had to be taken to ensure public safety, and to maintain our tourist image, it was important not to propose knee-jerk solutions such as those put forward by members of the Opposition, he said.
Mr Ardagh said the use of CCTV cameras in Temple Bar and O'Connell Street had led to a drop in assaults, drug-dealing and street crime. Further locations in Bray, Dublin south central and Finglas had been prioritised for the installation of more CCTV systems.
While the cameras had helped to reassure the public, it was accepted that the CCTV system was primarily an aid to existing Garda operational procedures, Mr Ardagh said.