Ned O'Sullivan (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

The front page of The Irish Timescaught my eye and the report that the lives of more than 520 people in Dublin are at risk from criminals. Perhaps this was covered by a Member previously on the Order of Business but it is quite startling. It is noticeable that more and more of the resources of the Garda Síochána in the city go towards preventing killings due to the internecine feuding going on between the infamous Kinahan and Hutch people. There are other minor feuds as well. I reside for half the week on the north side of the inner city and I am becoming more aware of the increasing licentiousness, rough and untold behaviour on the streets of our city in broad daylight, and not even late at night. I am here 11 years. The Garda need every possible resource it can be given to deal with this.

Some may say these guys are criminals and it is no big deal what they do to each other. That may or may not be the case. There is a danger to innocent lives and to people caught in the crossfire who are living in fear. Security is being compromised and people are afraid to speak out or move in certain areas of the city, which is a worrying trend. It might be timely to have a debate on Dublin city crime and perhaps Garda funding and resources in general.