Senior Gardaí have told Dublin business owners they're determined to "win back" the city centre, and promised there'll be a significant increase in Garda visibility in the capital.
187 city centre business owners met with Gardaí over safety concerns at the Gaiety Theatre earlier today.
There have been a number of high-profile, violent attacks in Dublin in recent weeks.
Assistant Garda Commissioner Angela Willis says they want to ensure Dublin is safe for all to live, work and visit: "We recognise that high visibility is what will make people feel safe in this city.
"There was huge acknowledgment of the wonderful city that we have.
"We will certainly play our part, in the Garda Síochána, in making sure that people can feel safe in our city."
Disappointment
Noel Anderson, who owns the Lemon and Duke bar in Dublin City Centre, attended this morning's meeting.
He says there was a lot of anger and frustration amongst business owners, and he's disappointed there was no political representation:
"It's embarrassing for the city.
"We need to get this solved once and for all and then build the city back up again, and build the trust that city is safe.
"I asked the Assistant Commissioner would she be the person that would finally take the city back from these gangs of feral youths that are coming around?"
"The big glaring thing that was obviously missing for me there was there was no political representative.
"You've all the people that make the decisions and put legislation in place.
"The Guards spoke about the revolving door system, where they're bringing people in front of the courts and they're just being let out.
"Unless there's real political will to address this, we're going nowhere fast."
Huge crowd already for @DublinTown meeting between business and @gardainfo. This madness has to stop and I’ve a feeling this meeting is going to be interesting. Thanks to The Gaiety for hosting… Size of the venue says it all. #Operationvisibility pic.twitter.com/u2nWpPVclP
— Noel Anderson (@NoelAnderson_) August 23, 2023
Statement by Dublin Town CEO Richard Guiney: "The meeting discussed the policing of the city, including Garda responses to recent events.
"It was also an important opportunity for local businesses to discuss their recent experiences and concerns, ensuring that these are taken into account in the city’s policing plans.
"The city’s business community support the deployment of additional Garda resources to the city and, in particular, proposals to increase visible policing on city streets.
"We believe that this increased visibility will act as a deterrent to anti-social and criminal behaviour.
"The meeting also heard calls to engage all relevant stakeholders in addressing complex societal needs which can manifest as anti-social behaviour on city streets.
"There was a broad welcome for the re-institution of the Better City For All process which outlines how support for the most vulnerable in society can be provided in the context of developing an inclusive vibrant and welcoming city."
