There needs to be a 'zero tolerance' crackdown to make Dublin's O'Connell Street safer.
That's according to Newstalk Breakfast host Ciara Kelly, who was speaking after An Post cited a 'deterioration in the security environment' as one of the factors behind a drop in visitors to its 'Witness History' exhibition at the GPO.
Ciara said she loves the city's main thoroughfare, but won't go there often.
"I don't want to kick O'Connell Street because I have a real affection for it," she said.
"I used to work in that area when I was young; it was kind of a stomping ground of mine.
"I do have a genuine affection for it... but I don't go onto O'Connell Street very often, and when I do it make me nervous.
"I see people falling around the place on drugs, I sense a different atmosphere there to other parts of the city and I don't like it".
Gardaí on O'Connell Street in Dublin in December 2018. Picture by: Sam Boal/RollingNews.ieCiara believes what needs to happen is something similar to a New York City "when they cleaned up the streets."
"New York used to have an intimidating, anti-social, crime, drugs all of that sort of stuff," she said.
"They did a zero tolerance crackdown on any infringements of the law... if you were doing anything you were moved on.
"They cracked down on the streets, and they changed the face of New York.
"I know the argument, 'It's not just about policing - there's other things': if you sort out the security environment, the destination will come".
A Luas tram passes the GPO on Dublin's O'Connell Street in August 2020. Picture by: Andy Gibson / Alamy Stock PhotoCiara said the thoroughfare as is currently exists means people will stay away.
"While it is the way it is, people won't go to it," she said.
"I went to The Gate [Theatre] recently at night, and I was walking around O'Connell Street at night, and I didn't like it one bit.
"It puts me off and I thought to myself, 'I won't be back here in a hurry' - and that's a problem".
She said a stronger Garda presence is essential.
"We need to have a police van on it 24/7," she said.
"The new Garda station should be a 24-hour station - I think it should be zero tolerance.
"I am willing for that to happen, but most people I don't think have the stomach for it," Ciara added.
