Knife crime and Garda visibility
Ivana Bacik raised the Dublin stabbings, knife crime and falling Garda numbers in some areas. The Minister said knife crime was down overall, seizures were up, and visible policing in Dublin city centre had increased.
All of us are appalled to learn of the stabbings of a teenager and of a tourist in his 20s in Dublin over the weekend. We all think of those who have been injured and of their families. News of these attacks put fear into people. Knife crime is a real concern for many, particularly in Dublin city centre.
An Garda Síochána, to much fanfare from the Minister's side of the House, announced an increase in visible policing only recently. That is very welcome but we are concerned that in rural areas and some urban areas we have seen a drop in Garda numbers when read alongside retirement and resignation figures. We have real concerns over numbers of those involved in community policing and concerns over implementation of the Dublin city task force recommendations. How will the Minister give people peace of mind when we see this level of violence and see attacks like these occurring in Dublin city centre in spite of announcements from Garda headquarters and the Department about visible policing on the streets?
Comment on this
Like Deputy Bacik, I was very concerned when I heard about the stabbing of the two individuals over the weekend but it has to be put in context as well. I received a report from An Garda Síochána at the end of August this year in respect of knife crime. It showed that knife-crime seizures where up and knife-crime injuries were down. In general, knife crime as a criminal offence is down. That has to be taken into account. Also, regarding Garda visibility, the Deputy will be aware herself from being around the city that we have an increased Garda presence in Dublin city centre. I want to see that rolled out through the country in all the villages and towns as well. In order to do that we need to get the recruitment of gardaí up. I am pleased to say that the numbers are going in the right direction. Some 200 hundred new recruits entered into Templemore in August of this year and in November, at the next passing out, 200 will be coming out. The numbers are looking good but the secret to Garda visibility is increased Garda recruitment.