Government failures leading to increases in serious crime in Dublin – Mark Ward TD
27 March 2025
Sinn Féin spokesperson on Dublin and Community Safety, Mark Ward TD, has criticised successive Justice Ministers for failing to address low Garda numbers in Dublin.
Garda numbers in Dublin have decreased from 4,002 to 3,809 since Fine Gael first took office in 2011, despite an increase in the population during the same time period.
Statistics from the Central Statistics Office (CSO) reveal that there was a 9% increase in attempts/threats to murder, assault and harassment in Dublin in 2024 compared to the same period in 2023.
Teachta Ward said:
“At a time when we need more Gardaí on our streets, successive Justice Ministers have failed to address the crisis in Garda recruitment and retention.
“Comparing CSO figures released for 2024 to the same period in 2023, there has been a 9% increase in the number of attempts/threats of murder, assault and harassment in Dublin.
“Dublin had the highest increase in these offences than any other region, and it is clear for everyone to see that Garda numbers in the capital have declined.
“Dublin Garda numbers have fallen from 4,002, in 2011, to 3,809. And in this same time, the population in Dublin has increased.
“There are fewer Gardaí per person in Dublin now than there was in 2011. Is it any wonder that people throughout Dublin do not feel safe?
“CSO figures for Dublin also showed an 8% increase in weapon and explosive offences. There was also a 13% increase in public order and social code offences.
“Minister Jim O’Callaghan should be well aware of public safety issues in Dublin, he said some parts of the city were not safe. He has failed to say where these parts are.
“To make Dublin communities safe, we need a significant ramping up of the number of gardaí that are being trained every year. That requires a plan from Minister O’Callaghan to increase garda training capacity.
“This plan must include consideration of Sinn Féin’s proposal to open a second Garda training college and early engagement with Gardaí that are eligible to retire.
“Dubliners deserve to feel safe and both Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael don’t seem able to deliver that.”
