Sinn Féin spokesperson for Justice, Pa Daly TD, has said government must ensure safety on the streets of Dublin for all who live in, work in or visit the city.

Teachta Daly said:

“I wish to firstly offer my deepest sympathies to Mr Neno Dolmajian’s parents, his family and friends. 

“All who live in, work in or visit Dublin have a right to be safe in the city. Last summer, when attacks on tourists, workers and residents made it clear there was a problem, Fine Gael Ministers engaged in spin and stunts rather than listening to Sinn Féin’s calls for decisive action to invest in and resource the Gardaí. They failed to act then and I am concerned that government seems to be taking the matter no more seriously now than they did then.

“When I meet with local workers and business, they paint the same picture: Constant anti-social behaviour and a level of violence that is shocking.

“The government have finally resumed recruitment to the Garda Reserve, after leaving the publication of regulations to enable this on the long finger. There is little action in regards to retention and recruitment, and non-core duties still remain unaffected in many areas.

“The number of Gardaí in the city is no higher now than when Fine Gael took over the Justice Ministry in 2011, despite the massive increase in population.

“This puts an incredible strain on policing services, and is simply not acceptable.

“Sinn Féin would set up a retention and recruitment taskforce, take action on non-core duties and stem the tide of departures which is keeping Garda numbers stagnant. A Sinn Féin government would be committed to ensuring that everyone can feel safe and protected in our capital city.”

ENDS