Extra Gardaí patrolling the streets of Dublin have been told to get tough on crime.
A new policy of increased visibility has been introduced in the capital with a focus on tackling anti-social behaviour, drug dealing, aggressive begging, thefts and shoplifting.
Foot patrols will be concentrated on O’Connell St, Henry St, Talbot St and Bachelor Quay in particular, following Garda engagement with the community and business owners.
William Corr, who runs Jerry Keane Paints and Wallpaper on Talbot Street, said he has definitely noticed a difference.
“Shopkeepers have noticed it and speaking to Gardaí they say they are here just to show their presence to reassure people,” he told Barry Whyte for The Pat Kenny Show.
“They are calling in to businesses, so they are good.
“After fifty years here it’s the best I’ve seen; let’s hope it’s permanent and isn’t just for two, three weeks”.
Temporary?
Meanwhile the Minister for Justice Jim O’Callaghan has said the new increased visibility in Garda foot patrols, bike patrols and car patrols in the city centre will not be a temporary measure.
“This is not like it is for the visit of the American President where you’d see extra Garda visibility on the streets for a day or two,” he said.
“I believe that we are going to see it as a long term policy”.
Minute with Minister @OCallaghanJim
👮🏻♀️Greater Garda Visibility and More Gardaí
🔎Focus on Domestic Violence and more refuges for women 👩🏻🦰
❗️Enforcing of migration laws and reforming our asylum system pic.twitter.com/eMpmW4zOyC— Fianna Fáil (@fiannafailparty) March 28, 2025
The increase in Garda numbers on the streets of the capital began on Monday 24th March after 149 Garda recruits graduated from the Garda training college in Templemore.
98 of these new recruits are now stationed in Dublin, allowing for more resources to be deployed specifically to the Dublin South Central and Dublin North Central Garda Divisions, specifically working out of Pearse Street and Shore Street Garda stations in the city centre.
Jim, who lives in the city centre, said they hope the extra Gardaí patrolling the streets are here to stay.
“There’s an awful lot of Gardaí around,” he said.
“It’s great to see them back out on the beat - but we need this, people have become afraid to come into the city centre because of antisocial behaviour.”
Main image: A Garda on O'Connell Street. Picture by: Leah Farrell/Rollingnews.ie
