Minister for Justice Helen McEntee will visit Cherry Orchard in West Dublin — scene of a Garda car being rammed by so-called ‘joy-riders’ on Monday evening — a spokesman has confirmed.
The visit, “to hear the community’s concerns and what they need in terms of policing and other supports,” would happen “in coming days,” he said.
The Minister has been criticised for her response to antisocial behaviour in Dublin at a behind-closed-doors meeting of Fianna Fáil Oireachtas members.
The meeting of Dublin-based TDs and Senators — which is a regular meeting — took place on Wednesday, with sources present saying there was a wide-ranging discussion on what one said was a “real edge” that has developed in Dublin.
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Ms McEntee’s reaction to the Cherry Orchard incident which was publicised on social media earlier this week was also targeted, sources said.
“There isn’t enough ministerial or Government focus on it,” said one source present at the meeting, where complaints were raised over the rise of antisocial behaviour in Dublin especially after the pandemic.
“There is huge frustration from our perspective,” another source said. “We want to see (Ms McEntee) taking a more active role in addressing it and calling it out,” the source added, suggesting that in addition to public commentary, there needed to be more ministerial support and presence at joint policing committees, community policing forums and meeting impacted communities.
“Where there’s strong political leadership on an issue like this, it trickles down.”
The meeting, first reported by RTÉ News, was attended by Dublin Bay South TD Jim O’Callaghan, Dublin South West TD John Lahart, Dublin North West TD Paul McAuliffe and Senatory Mary Fitzpatrick. A Fianna Fáil source said law and order issues were an important topic for the party, especially in Dublin.
Ms McEntee’s spokesman said she and the Government have “consistently supported An Garda Síochána with funding and legislation to tackle antisocial behaviour and criminality”.
“The Minister has overseen continued Garda recruitment to strengthen and support the force — this will see 200 Garda recruits soon enter Templemore every three months.”
“This funding has also allowed An Garda Síochána to introduce dedicated operations to tackle anti social behaviour, such as Operation Citizen.”
“In addition, the Minister is also introducing legislation to give Gardaí greater powers and tools to tackle crime — such as tackling the dangerous use of scramblers, greater access to CCTV and the use of facial recognition technology and body worn cameras.”
“Minister McEntee is also overseeing the roll-out of new Community Safety Partnerships to give communities a real say in keeping their communities safe — with a pilot partnership well under way in Dublin’s North Inner City — and an expansion of Youth Diversion Programmes.
“The Minister has also asked the Garda Commissioner to review the operation of procedures and legislation to tackle antisocial behaviour to see what more can be done.”
