Patrick Costello
Question:1166. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for Justice for an update on Operation Citizen; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38326/23]
View answerMonday, 11 September 2023
Questions (1166)
Written answers
As the Deputy will be aware the Garda Commissioner is responsible for all operational policing matters, as Minister I have no role in these matters.
Operation Citizen was implemented on 22 October 2021 for the purpose of providing reassurance to citizens, visitors and the business community that Dublin city centre is a safe place in which to visit, conduct business, socialise and enjoy its amenities. It aims to deliver a high visibility policing presence in the city centre on a daily basis.
Operation Citizen focuses on a collaborative community and stakeholder engagement approach, recognising that many of the issues that manifest themselves in the core city centre require a response that reaches beyond what the Garda Síochána can provide on their own, working in isolation from other stakeholders.
I have been advised by Garda authorities that since the inception of Operation Citizen to 31 July 2023, there have been 12,961 individual proactive foot and mountain bike patrols undertaken as part of the operation. During this period, 13,472 persons have been arrested, 23,537 charges have been preferred and 10,505 summons issued in respect of offences detected in both the Store Street and Pearse Street Garda Districts.
In addition, illicit drugs with an estimated street sale value of €12,596,457 (subject to analysis) have been seized in Store Street and Pearse Street Districts, as well as €2,700,067 in cash/cheques.
I am further advised that there are personnel from both Store Street and Pearse Street Garda Stations allocated on a full-time basis to Operation Citizen. All personnel assigned to Operation Citizen are paraded on a daily basis at 8a.m. and at 4p.m. and are assigned a particular sector within the geographical scope of Operation Citizen to patrol on foot.
Members assigned to Operation Citizen continue to be deployed on beat patrol. Members dedicated to Operation Citizen are not routinely deployed on mobile patrols, however, typically, on a daily basis there are eight mobiles patrolling the core city centre for each tour, assigned from both Store Street and Pearse Street Garda Stations. Where a requirement arises, members assigned to the Bridewell, Mountjoy, Kevin Street and the wider DMR also provide a response capability.
Members of the Garda Mounted, Garda Dog Unit, Armed Support Unit and DMR Roads Policing Unit provide further support to Operation Citizen by way of high visibility beats and mobile patrols, particularly at weekends and in support of organised events.