Michael McNamara (Clare, Independent) | Oireachtas source

During the Covid-19 lockdowns and since there was an increase in violence and in antisocial behaviour on the streets of both the north inner city and the south inner city. That was ignored and we saw where that leads to. I want to bring to the attention of the Minister the increase in anti-social behaviour on the streets of Ennis, which as Deputy Lowry said is now part of this new Clare-Tipperary division.

There has been a marked increase in antisocial behaviour, perhaps linked to people being moved out of other areas and into Ennis. Very recently, a market building, which was built at huge cost to the Exchequer, has been closed because the Garda, for whatever reason - perhaps it does not have the resources - cannot prevent antisocial behaviour occurring there. I refer in particular to congregation for the purpose of drug-taking. What is going to be done to ensure that people in Ennis feel safe going about their business, that public facilities can remain open and that antisocial behaviour is prevented there? It is a very basic requirement of policing in this State that buildings like that can be protected and people can feel safe on the streets of our provincial towns.

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