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Anti-Social Behaviour

Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 11 March 2021

Thursday, 11 March 2021

Questions (175)

Eoghan Murphy

Question:

175. Deputy Eoghan Murphy asked the Minister for Justice if there has been a significant rise in occurrences of antisocial behaviour in the area of Grand Canal Dock, Dublin. [13742/21]

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Written answers

I can inform the Deputy that I am very conscious of how the impact of anti-social behaviour affects the quality of life for local communities. Tackling crime in our communities is a priority for this Government and for An Garda Síochána. The new Programme for Government, Our Shared Future, recognises the fear and insecurity caused by anti-social behaviour and commits to tackling this through more visible community policing.

I am informed by An Garda Síochána that local Garda management responsible for the policing of Grand Canal Dock report no increase in Public Order offences, Assaults, Criminal Damage, or related offences in the area, and that the vast amount of complaints from the area stem from people congregating, loitering and consuming alcohol.

I am advised that Gardaí met with the local community and the Docklands Business Forum, in December 2020 and February 2021 respectively, to discuss the issues affecting the area. Following the meeting in December 2020, Gardaí engaged with the Property Management Company who are now erecting signage that consumption of alcohol in the Grand Canal Square is unacceptable.

I am informed that, during the summer months, local Gardaí conduct ‘Operation GCD’ which involves increased uniformed foot and mountain bike patrols in the Grand Canal Square and Grand Canal Dock areas. This operation is run daily from June to September, its objective being to minimise the anti-social behaviour/disruption caused by young people swimming in the canal during the summer holiday period. I understand that this operation has been positively received by the local community and it is envisioned that this operation will be run again in the coming summer months.

More generally, the Deputy will be aware that the issue of youth crime is addressed in the new Youth Justice Strategy, covering the period from now to 2026, which I intend to finalise and bring to Government shortly. This will consider the full range of issues connected to children and young people at risk of coming into contact with the criminal justice system. This will include early intervention and preventative work, family support and diversion from crime, through to court processes and facilities, supervision of offenders, detention and reintegration and support post release.

I have also established a special expert forum on antisocial behaviour, which will consider the effectiveness of existing legislation and propose new ways forward, including new powers for An Garda Síochána and additional interventions to support parenting of offenders.

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