Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 24 February 2021
712. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice if she had been appraised of the work undertaken by An Garda Síochána in respect of an operation (details supplied); the length of time the operation has been in place; the arrests undertaken to date; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9706/21]
View answer734. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Justice the details of the An Garda Síochána Operation Cribbage; and the current status of this operation. [10106/21]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 712 and 734 together.
As the Deputy will be aware, the Garda Commissioner is, by law, responsible for the management and administration of An Garda Síochána, including personnel matters and deployment of resources. As Minister, I have no direct role in these decisions. I am assured, however, that Garda management keeps the distribution of resources under continual review in the context of crime trends and policing priorities, to ensure their optimum use.
I am informed by the Garda authorities that Operation Cribbage was established on the 27 May 2019 to target drug dealing, criminality and anti-social behaviour specifically in the Railway Street and Liberty Park area of Dublin 1, in support of the objectives of the Liberty Park Action Plan.
Local Garda management proactively initiated the operation to help address the fears of the community. A collaborative response involving An Garda Síochána together with the North East Inner City (NEIC) initiative, supported by local community groups and leaders, representatives and statutory agencies all engaged in consultation to identify and implement a range of collaborative actions and measures. The aim of these collaborative actions and measures is to improve the quality of life for residents in the Railway Street and Liberty Park area and its surrounding areas. These improvements aim to ensure that residents can live in a safe and secure environment and avail of social, economic and cultural opportunities, which are planned as part of the overall project supported by Statutory Agencies, DCC and Community and Voluntary groups.
Operation Cribbage involves the deployment of dedicated high visibility uniformed personnel to perform daily anti-crime beat patrols in Liberty Park, Dublin 1. These full time high visibility patrols are supported by intelligence led operations together with the assistance of Garda operated CCTV, all providing a vital and dynamic policing response. An Garda Síochána will continue to support the Liberty Park Action Plan, through Operation Cribbage, to ensure the continued safe and secure environment in the Railway Street and Liberty Park area. An Garda Síochána will also continue to work with stakeholders to ensure all actions and measures set out in the Plan are implemented.
I am further informed that there have been a substantial number of policing interventions in support of Operation Cribbage, including 140 arrests and a number of prosecutions before the Courts. Operation Cribbage is subject to ongoing review by local Garda management to maintain its focus of reducing community fear.
