Garda visibility to be boosted in key areas to deter anti-social behaviour

Gardai are to review on a daily basis whether a higher police presence is a deterrent in key areas in Dublin prone to anti-social behaviour.

It comes after a focus on the capital city’s safety following an assault on a US tourist, Stephen Termini, that left him seriously injured.

Taoiseach Leo Varadkar, Minister for Justice Helen McEntee, Garda Commissioner Drew Harris and Deputy Garda Commissioner Shawna Coxon met on Monday and discussed greater Garda visibility in Dublin.

They also discussed increasing recruitment levels, the opening of community safety partnerships, the deployment of bodycams and Budget 2024, according to a statement from the Department of Justice.

Mr Harris outlined his operational plans to increase the visibility of An Garda Siochana in Dublin.

The Department of Justice stated that proactive policing responses will involve “further targeted intelligence-led operations (including surveillance), searches of people and locations, and an increased focus on the congregation of large groups of people who can be perceived as engaging in anti-social behaviour”.

The Garda Air Support Unit, Garda Mounted Unit and Garda Dog Unit are to be used to boost Garda visibility in the city centre.

Ms McEntee said that community partnerships will develop their own action plan to focus on the needs of their area, such as whether CCTV, public lighting, solutions to deal with drug abuse or youth services are needed.

The next round of the Community Safety Innovation Fund – a ring-fenced fund to reinvest seized proceeds of crime – is to be announced in the coming weeks.

Ms McEntee also said that of the Gardai who graduated last week, 46 will be stationed in Dublin city centre and emphasised that each new intake into the Garda College is increasing since the Covid-19 pandemic ended.

“So, those numbers are increasing and it’s about getting them out on the ground, frontline policing, visibility in our communities, and that is my priority,” she told RTE Radio.

The Department’s statement noted that the retirement age and the age of entry into An Garda Siochana were among the issues being discussed to boost recruitment numbers as part of the budgetary package.

This marks the third meeting Mr Varadkar has held with Mr Harris to discuss the Stronger, Safer Communities plan since December, when Mr Varadkar took over the role as Taoiseach.