Crime and the city solution

Sir — I would have thought that anti-social and criminal behaviour would eventually diminish with fast-improving job availability and virtually full employment. Not so it appears, at least not in central Dublin.

While I can fully appreciate the problems associated with social integration and the demographic changes, most of Dublin’s problems seem to stem from a rampant drugs epidemic.

I walk and take the Luas tram through Dublin city centre every weekend. Riding the Luas red line, from Connolly Station to Tallaght has become a very risky business.

You must avoid making eye contact with spaced out individuals if you have to sit facing one or more of these unfortunate people.

On one occasion I got a box on the jaw when I intervened on behalf of a frightened female tourist, who immediately cut short her journey and got off at the next stop. Where is the Garda presence? Who can tourists or locals turn to? The odd squad car may make a fleeting appearance — but it always appears to be going somewhere else!

If Dublin is to survive and prosper as a safe place to visit, wholesale changes in how it is policed will have to be implemented — starting now!

Allowing large swathes of the city to become a play area for criminals and drug addicts can only lead to the demise of our once proud capital.

Dublin City Council and Government ministers must defy the overtures from well-meaning organisations who have long since proven themselves to be totally at odds with the reality on the ground.

Their way has been tried and tested. It has been shown over time to have failed and failed abysmally. The situation is now critical and, like Brexit, time is not on our side.

Niall Ginty,

Killester, Dublin 5