I wish to read an extract from a letter I received from distressed parents of a teenage constituent of mine:
Twelve days ago, an unprovoked violent attack on our 18 year old daughter, by young males, on Main St. in Swords, in the early hours of Friday morning, 15 February, occurred. We enclose photographs of injuries sustained in this horrific incident, taken after spending most of that night in Beaumont hospital, waiting to be seen by a doctor. I am sure they are equally abhorrent to yourself. Also included is a photo of our daughter's friend, who was also assaulted in the same attack. You may or may not be aware that this assault is not an isolated incident on Main St., Swords.
Swords Garda apprehended the alleged culprits almost immediately as they were apparently involved in a previous more serious attack on a youth from Leitrim, also on Main St., Swords, who was taken to Beaumont hospital by ambulance. Fortunately, the violent attack on our daughter was fully recorded on CCTV, the camera being situated at an off-licence beside a well-known pub. The video is currently in possession of the Garda.
Unfortunately, in the case of the other victim, he has not got the benefit of video evidence and will be dubious about pressing charges, despite the fact that there were witnesses to his assault.
Swords, Fingal's capital town has become a dangerous place after dark and is unsafe for anyone, this attack was not an isolated one and is a reoccurring problem at weekends in particular. For this reason I am appealing that a CCTV installation be put in place in the main street before somebody is killed. CCTV would also be a great bonus to the Garda Síochána who are doing excellent work under great pressure. If showing these photographs lends impetus to securing the installation of CCTV cameras, it will have been worthwhile.
This young girl went out for the first time 12 days after having been attacked severely. I appeal to the Government to fast-track CCTV installation wherever it is needed, especially where business people have offered funding, as is the case in the town of Swords. I thank them for this civic offer. I am aware of the difference CCTV makes in places like Temple Bar in Dublin, which is monitored in Pearse Street station, and also the O'Connell Street area, which is monitored in Store Street station.
Due to the late night opening of almost all pubs in Swords, this town has become known as the Temple Bar of north County Dublin. In one major respect it is different; it is missing the CCTV protection. At present, five pubs close after 2 a.m., each with 400 to 500 people spilling out. More than 2,000 punters, many of whom are drunk, come out onto the streets. This is an impossible policing situation. Even with the present inadequate Garda resources stretched to the very limits, a young man was stabbed in the head recently within view of two gardaí. Clearly, there is a need for CCTV as a deterrent.
There is a need for more gardaí in north County Dublin and also for pub closing hours to be reviewed, not just for the safety of gardaí who have to police the area late at night, but also for the sake of overworked bar and security staff, many of whom believe they are getting a raw deal in terms of their working environment. This is to nobody's benefit, certainly not to the benefit of those being attacked and gardaí who are doing their best in a difficult situation.
