Garda presence on the capital’s streets can’t just be for Christmas
Dublin riots marked a turning point in a city blighted by crime
SINCE the pandemic, the deteriorating situation in Dublin city centre has been evident to those living there and to the people of Kildare North and elsewhere who pass through on their commute or visit at the weekends. To those of us who have spent time in the city since 2020, the appalling scenes of the evening of November 23, 2023, were, unfortunately, predictable. Anti-social behaviour, which has gone unchecked for years, combined with the increasing amount of harmful online content that emerged during lockdown, has created a perfect storm in our capital – a storm that began with the violent assaults on tourists over the summer of 2023 and escalated into the distressing scenes of last November.
As Cathaoirleach of the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Justice, I wanted to carry out an in-depth examination of policing matters in the weeks following the Dublin riot. The committee firmly believes that a strong and effective police force is vital for the safety of the Irish public and that a lack of visible Garda presence is affecting businesses and citizens.
To examine these matters, the committee invited stakeholders to submit their views on the recruitment and retention of gardaí, rostering and morale within the force, the policing of Dublin city centre, the perceived increase in street crime, and whether the current policing approach is sufficient.
Submissions were received from, among others, An Garda Síochána, Garda representative associations, security experts and business groups badly affected by recent incidents, such as the town traders and the restaurant association.
Importantly, stakeholders were asked to comment on the policing of recent protests and whether they think the correct balance is being struck between the right to assemble peacefully and public safety. Based on those hearings, the committee has now made recommendations for street policing.
It is clear that we need to return to the traditional policing model, with gardaí on patrol in our towns and cities. Their visible presence on the streets should be sustained, not confined to the weeks following a major security incident. A Garda presence must become permanent, not just for Christmas.
Once re-established, this traditional policing model could be combined with community policing, which focuses on community engagement, crime prevention and law enforcement, while addressing crime and quality-oflife issues affecting communities.
The combination of models would need to be supported by improved information flow between State agencies and the Garda in order to be effective.
Take, for example, protests outside accommodation centres. With this combined model, An Garda Síochána would be notified in advance of an accommodation centre opening in their area. Gardaí would engage with communities and address concerns prior to the opening. If protests were to occur, there would be a strong presence of gardaí on the ground who would be equipped to prevent the situation escalating.
Of course, we cannot rely on traditional methods alone. We now know that the Dublin riots were organised on Telegram, an encrypted instant messaging service often used by the far right. The committee recommended ‘that the monitoring of far-right groups and their activities be given greater priority’.
Stakeholders agree that the riot and other violent incidents in recent months were orchestrated by a core group of approximately 20 people. To apprehend them, gardaí must have the technology and resources to monitor their online activity. We should consider the establishment of an intelligence service, within An Garda Síochána, to identify and analyse the threat posed to the State by agitators inciting violence online.
This service would be similar to the Garda National Crime and Security Intelligence Service that’s already in place, which monitors terrorist threats and organised crime.
The service could work closely with the recently established Coimisiún na Meán, the authority responsible for online safety.
Over the next few months, the authority will set out rules for how online services deal with harmful content, including incitement to violence. These rules will be strictly enforced; failure to comply will lead to financial sanctions of up to €20m for platforms, and criminal penalties will apply for continued non-compliance.
An Coimisiún could play an essential role in monitoring and intercepting harmful content but, in order for it to be of assistance to the Garda, there needs to be a systematic and direct line of communication, allowing for information flow between An Coimisiún and the Garda intelligence service.
Of course, the return to traditional policing and the monitoring of online platforms cannot be achieved without sufficient numbers of gardaí.
That is why most of the recommendations put forward by the committee relate to recruitment and retention. The committee recommended investigating ways to address low Garda morale, a review of salaries and pensions, and increasing the retirement age of gardaí to 62.
We must put in place clear guidelines on the use of force and assure gardaí that they will not face a long investigation for appropriately defending themselves or the wider public.
The recommendations of the committee next go to the Justice Minister. I, as Cathaoirleach, look forward to working with the minister on their implementation.