Gangs have more resources than Gardaí – O’Brien

Fianna Fáil’s Dublin spokesperson Senator Darragh O’Brien has warned that criminal gangs in Dublin have more resources than the Gardaí. 

The Dublin Fingal candidate said: “Last year in Dublin there were more than 600 incidents of crime involving a firearm or an offensive weapon. 

“Across Dublin we have seen guns and knives being used not just in gangland murders but increasingly in burglaries, muggings and in drunken disputes. 

“Dublin needs the Fianna Fáil proposed dedicated garda unit to tackle violent crime. Shootings and knife incidents in recent times have shaken the confidence of people who live here. We need to remove guns and knives from our streets, and give Gardai the resources to do that job.

“At the moment Gardaí pursue criminals in standard family salon cars, they use their own mobile phones and type statements on their own laptops. The force has decreased by over 2,500 members in the past five years. In North Dublin alone we are down 152 gardai.

“Garda stations in the heart of our communities have been closed and others have seen reduced hours. Fianna Fáil has a track record of supporting the Gardaí in Government. We have done it in the past and given the opportunity we will do it again. In government we will establish a dedicated public order unit and increase the force to 15,000 members,” vowed Senator O’Brien.

“The public deserves a proper police force and the Gardai deserve to be properly and fully resourced. Fianna Fáil will ensure that the downgraded garda stations are returned to a full 24/7 service for the public.”