Ireland in grips of crime – Community policing resources needed
- CSO figures suggest Fine Gael losing grips on justice system
Labour justice spokesperson Aodhán Ó Ríordáin has called on the Minister for Justice to outline Government’s response to the enormous increase in crime throughout communities.
Deputy Ó Ríordáin said:
“Figures published by the CSO today highlight what Labour has been highlighting with this Government for some time. Crime across our communities is skyrocketing, yet we’ve yet to hear a proactive response from the Justice Minister on proposals to make our communities safer.
“The old saying is true – prevention is the best cure. It’s clear now that we need an increase in community policing to stop robberies (up 20%), theft (up 25%), and the over 9,000 cases of burglaries reported last year.
“Meanwhile, trust has broken down between frontline Gardaí and the Office of the Garda Commissioner. The Minister cannot wash her hands of this when it’s clear that communities are experiencing higher rates of crime than average.
“Community policing is totally under resourced, and criminals are preying on this opportunity.
“The Minister must make a statement to the Dáil to outline to communities what this Government is doing to protect them this winter. Ireland has clearly become a more dangerous place under Fine Gael’s watch.
“After 12 years of ministerial control, the Department of Justice is in a mess. The increase in community crime, the GRA petition and the criminal barristers strike are just the latest in a catalogue of failures by this Government.”