O’Brien holds public meeting to uncover the impact of crime on Fingal

​Local Fianna Fáil TD, Darragh O’Brien said Fingal residents are feeling neglected and ignored by Government will having to endure an increase in criminality in the county.
Deputy O’Brien held the first of a series of planned public meetings with Malahide based County Councillor, Eoghan O’Brien last night to discuss the current issues surrounding crime and policing in the region. A number of local senior Gardaí including the Superintendent and Inspector were in attendance.
Speaking following the meeting which over 350 local residents attended he said, “Since 2011, the popularity of Malahide as a wonderful place to live and work has grown exponentially and as a consequence there has been an 8% increase in the size of the local population.
“Over the course of the same period the number of full time Gardaí based in the town dropped from 44 to now just 27. These cuts were coupled with the downgrading of Malahide Garda Station from 24/7 to limited hours of operation. It’s absolutely nonsensical that this poor and inadequate level of Garda resources is allowed be maintained in an area that covers three areas; Malahide, Portmarnock and Kinsealy.
“Residents across the county are all too well aware of the number of ongoing problems related to crime and are becoming increasingly frustrated with the lack of Government response. Malahide and the other towns and villages throughout North County Dublin that are dealing with pockets of criminality are fantastic places that should not have to endure this negativity.
“The gangs of thugs that have run amok since October know all too well that local Gardaí do not have the capacity to deal with the fear and problems they are creating for people. As long as they know Garda resources are down, they will likely continue to travel to our area to cause torment and drum up fear.
“The local Garda Superintendent, Gerard Donnelly acknowledged last night that it would take at least 10 more Gardaí than are stationed at present in Malahide for the station to be reinstated as a 24/7 station.
O’Brien concluded, “I will be making sure that the Minister and his Government colleagues are aware that I fully back the campaign to re-open Malahide station 24 hours a day 7 days a week to fully protect the safety of residents.”