‘WE HAVE NOT BEEN IGNORING WARNINGS’
THE Justice Minister has said warnings over a rise in anti-social behaviour have not been ignored by the Government as she announced a number of measures to tackle ongoing issues.
Helen McEntee unveiled plans to crack down on anti-social problems in Cherry Orchard, Dublin, where a Garda car was rammed by joyriders on Monday evening.
She visited the area yesterday to hear about the community’s concerns and meet with a number of local representatives.
Among a number of measures will be an increase of high-visibility policing in the area, including the city centre.
The incident, which saw a Garda vehicle being rammed by a car, has been widely condemned. Footage of it, which also shows dozens of onlookers cheering after the Garda car is rammed, was shared online.
Ms McEntee and Minister of State with Responsibility for Law Reform James Browne met with community representatives and organisations, public representatives, as well as Garda members.
Ms McEntee said: “It was obviously unacceptable that this community should have to put up with this type of behaviour, or that members of An Garda Siochana should be treated in this way.
Response
“But the reason I’m here today is to work with the community to try and respond and ensure that there is a criminal justice response, that we have the gardai and the resources to support that the community need to respond to these types of issues.”
Ms McEntee also rejected a suggestion that the Government has ignored warnings from local councillors in the area who have been flagging anti-social behaviour issues.
She added: “We’ve been speaking to local gardai, who have been working with the local community and trying to put in place the most effective policing response, while working with community groups to get to the crux behind what is happening.”