Another fatal Northside shooting while photo-ops held in Stepaside
Condemning the fatal shooting in Darndale today, Labour Senator Aodhán Ó Riordáin has said the escalating number of attacks show that the Government has lost control of gangland crime and are failing to take action to address the ongoing attacks on the Northside, while Ministers pose for photo-ops in Stepaside.
Sen. Ó Ríordáin said:
“I am appalled but not in anyway surprised with the news of another fatal shooting on the Northside today, in the Darndale area. What is most upsetting is that people working and living in the area have been warning of an escalation of violence for months.
“It is stomach churning to think, that in the week of a shooting outside Donaghmede Shopping Centre, a body found dead in North Dublin and a murder in Darndale that a government minister is taking photo opportunities beside Stepaside Garda Station and heralding it’s re-opening.
Why is Stepaside more important than the Northside? I have been campaiging for increased garda prescene on the Northside, but the Minister for Justice has refused to engage.
“Consistently I have raised through Seanad commencement debates the need for increased Garda resources on the Northside. Now is the time to intervene and nip this in the bud. We have been actively campaigning for a garda station locally for this expanding community.
“Why is the Northside being ignored? These are no ordinary crimes and deserve the attention of the Minister for Justice. He can no longer ignore the escalation in serious crime. Ministerial interference in the re-opening of Stepaside Garda Station is being actively celebrated, despite being against the expressed wishes of the Assistant Garda Commissioner while we have inaction here. The Minister says Garda resources are a matter for the Commissioner which frankly is a dereliction of duty.
“It is time to take on the escalating number of gun shootings by committing the resources to tackle this once and for all. Continually insisting these incidents are an operational matter for the Gardaí is insulting to the communities who need protection.”