Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Deputies for raising this issue and for their ongoing engagement on it. Like everyone in this House, I am absolutely clear that the criminal events in Ballyfermot this week – that is what it they were – were completely unacceptable. I absolutely acknowledge that the activity was not in any way reflective of the good, decent people of Ballyfermot. I share their revulsion over what happened this week. People have rightly been appalled over the lack of respect for the community living in Ballyfermot and the gardaí working there to keep it safe. We will always support communities affected by such crime and antisocial behaviour, as we did recently with the establishment of the Cherry Orchard implementation board. A lack of respect for An Garda Síochána and the rules by which decent, law-abiding citizens live their lives will not stand. An Garda protects all of us, and gardaí put themselves at risk in keeping us safe.

Any misplaced belief that members of An Garda Síochána can be threatened, attacked or run out of the communities they proudly serve will be met with an extremely firm response. No person is beyond the reach of the law, and those showing contempt for An Garda Síochána will be fully investigated. I urge anyone with information to report it to An Garda Síochána.

My thoughts are with the garda attacked in the course of duty on Monday. As the investigation remains ongoing, I will not comment further on the specific case, but I want to wish the garda in question a full and speedy recovery. Front-line workers must be protected in carrying out their work, and the law reflects the importance of this. There is a range of robust legislative provisions available to the Garda authorities in circumstances where threats or assaults are made against front-line workers, and I have had discussions with the Garda Commissioner on how we can do more in this regard.

This Government is committed to increasing the maximum penalty available for the offence of assault causing harm from five years' imprisonment to ten years' imprisonment. This will provide the courts with a more appropriate range of sentences to take account of the nature and gravity of assaults that fall under this offence category. This change will be introduced by the Criminal Justice (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2022, which is currently before the Houses.

The Deputies may also be aware that an assault on a member of An Garda Síochána, a prison officer, a member of the fire brigade, ambulance personnel or a member of the Defence Forces constitutes an offence under section 19 of the Criminal Justice (Public Order) Act 1994. A person convicted of such an offence on indictment would be liable to a fine or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding seven years, or both.

I will be meeting Garda representative associations in the coming week. Starting today, I will be meeting chief superintendents and superintendents. I will be meeting representatives of the Garda Representative Association and the Association of Garda Sergeants and Inspectors in the coming days and will discuss with them how I, as Minister for Justice, and the rest of the Government can support them and keep them safe. I rule nothing out in this regard. This includes the absolutely crucial provision of body-worn cameras. I intend to enact legislation to allow for body-worn cameras in the coming months to allow the Garda Commissioner to begin a pilot later this year.

I reassure the Ballyfermot community that a policing plan remains in place in the area to ensure the safety of local residents. This plan will continue to effectively address criminality and public order offending by focusing on prolific offenders through specific operations that result in preferring criminal charges. I have been informed by the Garda of a number of incidents involving dangerous driving and reckless endangerment on Monday. I understand two men were arrested regarding incidents of dangerous driving, two motorbikes were seized and files are being prepared for the DPP.

I am assured by the Garda authorities that an ongoing local policing presence under Operation Préachán remains in place in Ballyfermot. Operation Préachán was initiated in August last year to detect and prevent criminal activities in the area, with a focus on car-related crime, criminal damage, dangerous driving and public disorder.

In November last year, the Minister without Portfolio, Deputy McEntee, and the Minister of State responsible for law reform, Deputy James Browne, announced the establishment of a new group to implement and co-ordinate supports for the Cherry Orchard community. Mr. Brendan Foster, the current chair of the Cherry Orchard Development Group, is to head up the new Cherry Orchard implementation board, whose model will be similar to the Drogheda Implementation Board, whereby an independent chair is working with Departments and agencies to progress projects and initiatives to improve safety and well-being. I am informed that the chair, supported by Dublin City Council and my Department, has been consulting locally to identify members and supports needed for the implementation board.

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