The main street of Ireland’s capital city has become increasingly unsafe, and action must be taken by the Government. 

That’s according to Dublin Central TD Gary Gannon, who told Newstalk Breakfast Dublin City simply isn’t safe at night “on certain streets”. 

“That's been captured in any number of reports in the last couple of years,” he said. “And also just when you walk around and engage in the city. 

“Dereliction, vacancies in shops, the type of stores we have around, and we can’t escape the fact that has been an increase in violence.” 

Deputy Gannon noted this fear is particularly felt by women and sexual and ethnic minorities. 

“Just about a week ago, a young Ukrainian actor [Oleksandr Hrekov] at the Abbey Theatre was viciously assaulted walking along Abbey [Street],” he said. 

HW7N86 Ireland, Dublin, O'Connell Street

O’Connell Street, according to the Deputy Gannon, is an area “we could be so proud of if we want to be”. 

“This can be the jewel in the crown of Dublin, but it's not going to be if we continue on as we are,” the Social Democrat TD said. 

'Multi-agency approach'

Under the current Inner City Task Force in the Department of the Taoiseach, O’Connell Street, Abbey Street and other central areas are not monitored. 

Deputy Gannon said the task force must “widen the boundaries” to include the central Dublin area and use a “multi-agency approach” to improve it. 

“That means the Department of the Taoiseach can bring in An Garda Síochána, the HSE who can engage with addiction,” he said. 

“Dublin City Council can look at dereliction... Kieran O’Donnell is the minister responsible for local authorities, and he has yet to meet Dublin City Council.” 

BH5804 Abbey st Dublin 1

Other “innovative” solutions include a “municipal form of policing” in the city centre, as Deputy Gannon noted “policing in the city center is different to policing in a residential environment”. 

Currently, Deputy Gannon said, the Government and Dublin City Council “blame each other” for the issues on O’Connell Street – but in an absence of innovation continues, it will continue to fall apart. 

“O’Connell Street, the main street of the capital, is in a state of disrepair,” he said.

“It’s too important to let go.

"I absolutely love this city - nowhere else in the world I'd rather live and walk up and down."

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