Sinn Féin TD Louise O’Reilly has criticised the government’s decision to end surge policing funding in Dublin as ‘outrageous’.

The €10 million temporary funding unveiled by Minister Helen McEntee last year has now been spent and not renewed.

Speaking today, Teachta O’Reilly said:

“It has been clear for some time now that many of those who live, work and socialise in our capital city simply do not feel safe. Gardaí have seen their funding and numbers slashed in real terms compared to Dublin’s rising population.

“Last year, a number of shocking acts of violence in the city exposed the growing concern that people don’t feel safe and protected.

“Instead of listening to Sinn Féin’s proposals to properly fund and resource the Gardaí to address this issue, government instead announced this short-term funding as a sticking plaster.

“Sinn Féin warned at the time that this temporary approach was nothing more than a PR exercise that couldn’t replace a genuine, long-term plan to get to grips with policing in Dublin and tackle the major issues that are clear for all to see.

“It is outrageous that this surge has now been spent and not replaced. Minister McEntee continues to be out of touch and fails to grasp the severity of the fears communities in Dublin have.

“Communities deserve to feel safe and protected. Instead, they feel badly let down by this government. Fine Gael have been responsible for the Justice Department for more than a decade. In this time, they have totally failed An Garda Síochána by closing Garda stations, enforcing real term cuts to police numbers and leaving the city feeling unsafe and exposed.

“A Sinn Féin government would stand up for communities and our Gardaí by ensuring they have the resources and supports they need to do their jobs properly and keep communities safe. Communities continue to feel badly let down and abandoned by Minister McEntee and Fine Gael’s soft-touch approach to crime.”