Dublin’s crime problems a legacy of Government neglect – Matt Carthy TD

Sinn Féin spokesperson on Justice, Home Affairs and Migration, Matt Carthy TD, has described Dublin’s crime problems as a legacy of government neglect and said all communities deserve to feel safe.

Deputy Carthy commended the Gardaí for dealing with a number of serious criminal incidents in the city yesterday.

Teachta Carthy said

“I want to commend Gardaí for how they responded to a number of serious criminal incidents in Dublin yesterday. All of our thoughts are with those who were injured in Stonybatter and I know the community in Stonybatter and in the inner-city are in shock following this attack.

“People need to know when anti-social behaviour and crime do occur that there will be a quick and effective Garda response – thankfully we saw such a swift response to the incident in Stonybatter and the actions of the Gardaí in that case show why response times are so important.

“All communities deserve to feel safe and protected. More than a decade of mismanagement of policing and justice has left communities feeling left down and vulnerable.

“While the individual incidents may not have been predictable, anyone who has been in Dublin city centre over the last year will know that it does not have the level of visible Garda presence or sense of safety that should be expected in a capital city.

“The legacy of the last Fianna Fáil-Fine Gael government and years of neglect and declining Garda numbers at the time of increasing population is serious public order issues on our streets, communities feeling unsafe and a justice system that struggles to cope.

“Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration Jim O’Callaghan needs to quickly get a grip on public safety, criminality and Garda visibility in Dublin as well as across the state.”