Denise Mitchell (Dublin Bay North, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I am proud of my community and of my constituents who make it a great place to live. I thank the community groups, educators and gardaí for working as hard as they do to try to make our society a better place. However, there is an ongoing drug feud in my area and communities across my constituency are dealing with a never-ending cycle of living in fear and under intimidation. While I understand that particular pressure has been put on the Garda to implement the emergency legislation that was passed in March, the day-to-day crimes in my area have not ceased as a result of lockdown. Most recently, there have been incidents of a more violent nature and some very vicious attacks have been carried out, including stabbings, shootings and young lads attacked with hammers.

They have rocked our communities.

I have raised with the Minister in the past the fact that the number of community gardaí in Coolock dropped dramatically compared with the number assigned in 2012. Communities and constituents in Dublin Bay North should be able to go outside their doors without worrying about whether they will be caught up in any of these incidents. They should be able to feel safe in their own homes and communities. I have been contacted by numerous constituents in recent weeks and people are afraid. Grandparents who are worried about their grandchildren have contacted me. Young people have contacted me because they are afraid to go out with their friends.

The most effective crime policies focus on prevention, and community policing is key to this approach. This means intensive and systematic social investment in marginalised areas. Victims of crime must also be given better supports and follow-up on their cases. This means providing intervention and support services for individuals and families at risk, accountable community policing, and a proactive, routine and continuous engagement with local communities and authorities.

As elected representatives, we all know from working with community gardaí the significant difference a good community garda can make in an area. He or she can build up trust with people at risk of offending, improve public confidence in policing, and ingrain themselves in community activity. However, significant damage has been done to the resourcing of community gardaí in recent years.

Gardaí acknowledge they are overstretched and need supports. Will the Minister write to the Garda Commissioner to seek that he increase the number of community gardaí as a priority? Are we anywhere closer to establishing a task force for my area similar to what was established in the north inner city?

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