Fergus O'Dowd (Louth, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Listening to the addresses of the Opposition, obviously most of them are entirely unaware of what is happening in my constituency, County Louth, with one clear exception. Deputy Ó Murchú is well aware, familiar and supportive of what is happening in the town of Drogheda and in County Louth in fighting crime, organised crime and drugs. There were appalling murders, the dismembering of a young boy, the burning of homes and fear and loathing in every street and part of our town two or three years ago. As a result of those appalling acts, the Government, with the support and physical presence of all the leaders of all the parties in Drogheda, on the Bridge of Peace, brought in a new regime to our town, county and Garda division. There was a huge increase in the number of gardaí, with more than 40 additional gardaí, of whom 16 were actually community police. That is a key point. It involves improving community links and supporting families who have difficulties and issues, and, if they fall outside the law in the initial case, interacting, understanding, appreciating and offering a helping hand to people in the first instance.

The reality for Deputy Mary Lou McDonald and her party is that in Drogheda, the Garda has significantly dealt with many of these crimes. People have been detected and charged with murder, attempted murder, possession of firearms and drugs, manufacturing of drugs, importation of drugs, possession of explosives, petrol bomb incidents, criminal damage and so on. The strong arm of the law is being used firmly and regularly in our county and indeed right around the country. The strategies that are working in Drogheda, under the Drogheda implementation plan, are being copied in other parts of the country. A new grouping was recently announced in Cherry Orchard which will model itself on how one fights crime, organised crime and abuse. It is done by making sure the Garda has the necessary resources and communities are supported. The nonsense that Deputy Mary Lou McDonald spoke about communities not being supported is clearly shown up by the support in Drogheda for those very communities, the Red Door Project, drug treatment court liaison workers, Prison Link workers, family addiction support services and over €500,000 given to youth supports in our town, particularly to young people in disadvantaged areas.

Policing and drug subgroups have been set up. All of the schools have been involved in drug and alcohol information and awareness campaigns. Some 180 primary, second level, further education and other students were involved in that. The Garda, the north eastern regional drugs and alcohol task force, the HSE substance abuse youth teams and Tusla family support services are all involved. If this has to happen in every part of our country, I believe it is the true, best and only way to deal with the criminals and put them away, and the longer the better. However, it is also the best way to deal with the causes of crime my colleagues opposite pointed out, namely, poverty and lack of education, and to offer people hope, a choice and a new opportunity. Nothing is perfect, not even in my town, but we are certainly getting to grips with the issues in Drogheda. We are totally dedicated as a unit. I speak again of Deputy Ó Murchú, who is seated across the House. He knows, I know, and Deputies Nash, Munster and Fitzpatrick know that we all step up to the mark, united together in this attack on issues. It is actually working.

When we talk about bringing criminals before the courts, the gardaí in Drogheda have been fantastic. They have been supported fully and completely by the communities in their determined approach. It is working. I know that we can walk our town today and nobody is in fear. I have to say there have been incidents recently but the atmosphere in our town and the change in how people feel about what is happening in our town is very significant.

It is happening under a Fine Gael-Fianna Fáil coalition Government. If Deputy Mary Lou McDonald gets into power, we have a few questions for her. At the core of our criminal justice system, as she referred to herself, are the trials of people who commit those crimes. Deputy McDonald spoke about a certain Jonathan Dowdall in her commentary today. I have a few questions for her about that and I welcome the clarity she has given so far. These are the further questions I would like to ask. What actions did Deputy McDonald take to ensure that Mr. Dowdall remained on as her councillor, if any? What total support, as reported by The Journal, did she provide to Jonathan Dowdall to ensure he remained within her party? Who are the party figures Dowdall had talks with to reach his decision to stay in Sinn Féin? All of this took place months after Sinn Féin's director of elections discussed a 2011 gun attack with Dowdall before he was elected to the council. On what date and with whom did this meeting or conversation happen? Did it happen on more than one occasion? I think Deputy Eoin Ó Broin commented on a number of conversations with the director of elections.

Sinn Féin stated this week that Jonathan Dowdall discussed a gun attack with Deputy McDonald's local party organisation.

It stretches credibility to the limit to say that she had no idea about these conversations. What did Sinn Féin do with that information when Mr. Dowdall referred it up, as Deputy Ó Broin claimed? Did it consider going to An Garda Síochána? Did it ask for more information? We do not know, but it seems to me it just printed Jonathan Dowdall's election posters and Deputy McDonald, I think, joined him on the canvas trail. On Monday, the judge called Mr. Dowdall "a ruthless, base, callous criminal". This is a man who is a suspected IRA member and associate of Garda killer Pearse McAuley. Was Jonathan Dowdall a member of a terrorist organisation while he was a member of Sinn Féin? I do not know. Deputy McDonald may not know the answer to that either but somebody does.

In the autumn of 2014, Deputy McDonald facilitated, supported and smoothed the path to ensure that Jonathan Dowdall stayed with Sinn Féin. She celebrated the return of its prodigal son at that time. This is the same prodigal son who engaged in waterboarding and torture so there are many questions to be answered. I welcome what Deputy McDonald said today but there is also a basic and fundamental issue. If the polls are right, Sinn Féin will sit on this side of the House in a year or so and we will be in opposition.

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