Dublin is a safe place, but people are not going to be safe all the time in any city centre, Justice Minister Helen McEntee has said.
She was speaking after a US tourist suffered serious injuries when he was attacked by a gang close to Store Street Garda station in the capital.
It is understood he was staying in accommodation just a few yards from the scene of the attack on Talbot Street.
Minister McEntee said the 'vicious, unprovoked attack' should not have happened.
"The first response by the Gardaí is to make sure that those who are responsible are brought to justice," she said.
"That is happening and work is underway to ensure that that happens".
'I do think our city is safe'
Minister McEntee said she believes the capital city is a safe place, but that people cannot be safe everywhere all the time.
"I've been in the city centre myself - be it from a work capacity - but also in a private capacity," she said.
"I've been at concerts locally down in the 3Arena, I've walked up to the city centre, I've been in the centre - and I do think the Gardaí themselves, the presence that they have there.
"In saying that, you're not going to be safe all the time, everywhere in a city centre or anywhere - and I acknowledge that.
"There can be challenges and difficulties, but it's about making sure where possible you prevent incidents from happening - but you can't always prevent everything.
"It's how you respond to it and how you make sure that there is enough resources and the ability to be able to deal with crimes when they happen.
"I do think our city is safe, I have to stress that.
"Whether you're living here, working here or whether you're a tourist here, I do think our city is safe.
"But we do, like any other city, have problems that we need to address".
'Things are not perfect'
Minister McEntee said she has been speaking with people who live and work in the city centre for some time.
"I acknowledge that things are not perfect, that there are issues that need to be resolved but as a Government and as Minister for Justice we have a plan to make sure that people are safe and feel safe".
She said this includes investment around resources for Gardaí, as well as recruitment.
"It's investing in the technology, the equipment, it's making sure Gardaí have the tools - be it handheld devices, be it new Garda cars, be it bikes, where they can patrol in our city centres as well," she said.
"It's investing in community partnerships," she added.
Reporting by: Barry Whyte
