15/05/2019

Dublin Shooting Sparks Worry Over Fine Gael's Control Of Gang Crime

A shooting in Donaghmede, a residential suburb of north Dublin, has prompted questions over how Fine Gael is handling gangland crime in the area.

Labour Senator Aodhán Ó Riordáin's comments follow the "indiscriminate shooting", which he believes is one in a number of escalating offences. The incident occurred outside Donaghmede Shopping Centre yesterday evening, Tuesday 14 May, when shots were fired at a male. It follows a recent killing in Darndale, a pipe bomb in Edenmore and feuding in Drogheda.

The Senator said the Minister for Justice has refused to engage with him on the matter, and repeated his calls for extra Garda resources in the north of the city.

He commented: "Consistently I have raised through Seanad commencement debates the need for increased Garda resources on the Northside. Do we have to wait for an incident similar to what happened a fortnight ago in Drogheda before we get a parade of the Minister and senior Gardaí? Now is the time to intervene and nip this in the bud. We have been actively campaigning for a garda station locally for this expanding community.

"I am disappointed that to date the Minister for Justice has refused to engage yet he has been happy to visit Drogheda and pledge action there. Will he only react when incidents reach a level of shock that he has no choice?

"Why is the Northside being ignored? These are no ordinary crimes and deserve the attention of the Minister for Justice. He can no longer ignore the escalation in serious crime. Ministerial interference in the re-opening of Stepaside Garda Station is being actively celebrated, despite being against the expressed wishes of the Assistant Garda Commissioner while we have inaction here. The Minister says Garda resources are a matter for the Commissioner which frankly is a dereliction of duty.

"It is time to take on the escalating number of gun shootings by committing the resources to tackle this once and for all. Continually insisting these incidents are an operational matter for the Gardaí is insulting to the communities who need protection."



(JG/CM)

Related Irish News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.

27 November 2018
Public Trust In Garda At Record High
Some 80% of respondents to the Garda Public Attitudes Survey have said that they are "satisfied" with their local garda service. The survey also found that 76% of respondents agreed that Gardaí in their area can be relied upon to be there when you need them, and 81% said that the Gardaí in their area listen to the concerns of local people.
12 October 2016
Justice And Equality Budget To Increase By €85m
The budget for the Justice and Equality sector is to be increased by €85 million, totalling €2.54 billion in 2017. Funding has been provided for the recruitment of 800 Garda recruits in 2017 and up to 500 civilians to support the wide ranging reform plan in train in An Garda Síochána. A total of €71.
18 March 2014
Dedicated Garda Unit Needed To Tackle Gun Crime
A dedicated garda unit is needed to tackle a "dramatic" spike in gun crime, Fianna Fáil Spokesperson on Justice Niall Collins has said. Deputy Collins made the call as gardaí investigate three separate gun attacks in West Dublin in as many days.
26 July 2017
Garda Survey Finds Decrease In Fear Of Crime & High Level Of Trust
The number of people who said they were victims of crime has fallen over the last year, according to the latest An Garda Síochána's Public Attitudes Survey, which has been published for the first time. The survey also found improved satisfaction among victims who reported their crime to Gardaí, and a reduction in the fear of crime.
10 February 2016
Additional Garda Resources Announced To Help Fight Gangland Crime
An additional package of measures to help garda tackle gangland crime has been announced by Minister for Justice and Equality, Frances Fitzgerald. The additional resources are to be secured with funding of €5m and allow Gardai to "sustain and intensify saturation policing in Dublin City", including multiple rolling checkpoints and patrols.