Gerry Adams (Louth, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

Last Tuesday, Teachta McDonald and I, along with several hundred citizens of Dublin's inner city, took part in a public vigil at the monument in Buckingham Street against criminal violence. The Taoiseach may recall that a memorial was erected in 2000 to remember the 150 people from that community who died during the previous 20 years from heroin and other drugs. I commend the organisers of this act of solidarity for a community that has suffered grievously from significant violence and criminality.

A total of seven men have been murdered as part of a so-called criminal feud. People are living in fear. Whatever else we may disagree about in this Chamber, it is important for us to state clearly that the small minority of criminals involved do not represent the communities we serve. These are not ganglands; these are wonderful communities victimised by criminal gangs. They are caring communities that deserve better. They need social and economic regeneration. In particular, they need the Government and An Garda Síochána to allocate resources and personnel to achieve this end and put those responsible behind bars.

This lack of resources did not happen by accident. The Fine Gael Government, during its last term, closed Garda stations, as did Fianna Fáil. In the north inner city of Dublin, there are now 140 fewer gardaí than in 2010.

See this speech in context