Garda deployment from border areas
O’Connell proposed transferring Gardaí from border duties to Dublin amid concerns about crime and recruitment delays. The Minister rejected the proposal, saying law enforcement must remain the Garda’s responsibility and calling the description of Dublin as a serious crime area exaggerated.
In view of the inadequate strength of the force in Dublin and the fact that 500 gardaí could not be trained in time—it takes one year to train 140—would the Minister consider withdrawing the gardaí from Border areas and leave that duty to the Army so that the gardaí could be deployed in Dublin where there is a need for them?
Comment on this
No. The enforcement of the law must be by the Garda. This is a basic matter of policy. It would be a retrograde step to have law enforcement in the hands of an Army.
Comment on this
Dublin city is becoming a serious crime area where people are living in terror of vandalism and violence.