Eamonn Maloney (Dublin South West, Labour) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Ceann Comhairle for selecting this issue. Everyone will be familiar with the coverage in the national press today of the remarks of Judge Anthony Halpin in Tallaght District Court regarding a breakdown of social order. During the sitting, he suggested that there is a necessity for the Civil Defence to become involved in policing the area. I reject that entirely. I am one of the almost 100,000 citizens who live in Tallaght and I can confirm no such situation exists. His remarks have incensed the local population and residents are furious about them for good reason. By implication, if he suggests that social order has broken down and proposes something that bypasses the existing policing framework, he has strayed too far.

The relationship between An Garda Síochána and the community I represent has been built over many years in a progressive and solid way, especially the community policing element of it. Tallaght is a largely working class area and it has the youngest population of any urban area in the State. I am on record requesting the judge to withdraw his remarks due to their insensitivity. He framed his remarks in court because of tragedies that have taken place. However, unfortunately, there have been terrible tragedies throughout the country since 1 January resulting in loss of life. To select an area where one incident had taken place and say that all social order has broken down is grossly unfair to the local community. It is regrettable that these comments insensitively disregarded An Garda Síochána, which enjoys the support of virtually all the population in Tallaght.

We are constantly reminded as legislators about the separation of powers and not to stray into areas overseen by the Judiciary. I agree it is no place for us as parliamentarians but, likewise, judges have a responsibility. In this case, the remarks were grossly insensitive and the House should record that Judge Halpin should withdraw them.

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