A survey by Dublin members of the Fianna Fáil Parliamentary Party has highlighted “significant concerns” about anti-social behaviour in the city, which the party has called “starling”.
In response, Dublin representatives met with Assistant Garda Commissioner Angela Willis to discuss the survey results and potential “actionable solutions”.
The survey, which involved nearly 1,500 participants, found that almost 90% support a 24-hour, 7-day-a-week criminal District Court in Dublin, and that over 65% of respondents had witnessed anti-social behaviour in the city centre. Over 90% also said they believed it had worsened over the past decade.
In reaction to these “alarming” findings and recent city incidents, the Fianna Fáil Parliamentary Party passed a motion advocating for several measures, including the establishment of a 24/7 Criminal District Court, the deployment of dedicated Gardaí to public transport, and more.
Fianna Fáil Senator Mary Fitzpatrick described the survey results as “eye-opening and deeply concerning”.
“It is clear that anti-social behaviour is a pervasive issue that demands immediate and decisive action,” she said.
“Our meeting with Assistant Commissioner Willis was a productive, open dialogue with our discussion focusing on collaborative strategies to enhance policing efforts and how to best improve the judicial process to better serve the needs of the public.
“Anti-social behaviour not only affects the quality of life for Dubliners but also erodes the sense of community and safety that is essential for our city’s well-being. My party colleagues and I in Fianna Fáil are committed to working closely with law enforcement to implement practical measures that will have a lasting positive impact on our communities.’”
Meanwhile, Fianna Fáil spokesman on Justice, Jim O’Callaghan, emphasised the need to strengthen An Garda Síochána through improved recruitment and retention strategies.
“Our survey highlights a serious issue that demands immediate attention,” he said.
“To build stronger and safer communities, we must focus on the recruitment and retention of Gardaí.”
O’Callaghan – who successfully campaigned to raise the Garda entry age limit to 35 – also celebrated the removal of “arbitrary age barriers” and “embracing diversity”, which he said creates a “stronger, more resilient force.”
Earlier this year, Gript reported that half of Fianna Fáil’s law and order pledges in the 2019 local election – including the establishment of a dedicated public transport Garda section, giving out new Garda powers to deal with anti-social behaviour, and more – re-appeared in their 2024 manifesto.
Another 2019 pledge was to increase Garda numbers from 14,307 to 16,000. Now, 5 years later, Garda numbers have actually declined to 14,058, and are less than they were when the initial pledge was made – despite the party being the largest party in local government throughout that time.
Déjà vu: Half of the law-and-order promises Fianna Fáil made during the 2019 local election have re-appeared in their 2024 manifesto - though Education Minister Norma Foley is denying that this means they failed to deliver the first time:https://t.co/Ny3lNRzIMp
— gript (@griptmedia) May 22, 2024
When asked about this issue and whether the party’s repeated electoral promises indicated a failure to follow through on manifesto pledges, Fianna Fáil Education Minister Norma Foley denied that it was. She attributed the failure to recruit and retain Gardaí to the Covid-19 pandemic, and said that many repeated promises were not necessarily signs of past failures, but rather commitments to continue ongoing efforts in areas needing improvement and expansion.
Half of the law-and-order pledges Fianna Fáil made in its 2019 local election manifesto have re-appeared in their 2024 manifesto.
— gript (@griptmedia) May 23, 2024
Ben Scallan asks Education Minister Norma Foley why the public should believe her party will achieve these if they didn't over the last 5 years. pic.twitter.com/YB1jLfqZCY