Policing strategy must be adjusted to ensure sustained Garda presence on Dublin streets– LVA
Following the disturbing scenes in Dublin on Thursday 23 November, the Licensed Vintners Association (LVA) has said adjustments must be made to the policing strategy to ensure there is a “high profile, sustained Garda presence on Dublin streets throughout the city centre”.
The representatives for Dublin publicans also praised the bravery of the members of An Garda Síochána who were involved in tackling the riots that broke out in the city, as well as those other members of the emergency services involved.
“First and foremost our thoughts are with the victims of horrendous attack in Dublin on Thursday as well as anyone who was caught up in the shocking scenes we saw in Dublin city centre that night,” said Donall O’Keeffe, CEO of the LVA.
“We are also very keen to acknowledge the great bravery displayed by the members of An Garda Síochána, as well as the other emergency responders and others, in the face of those extreme acts of lawlessness. If it wasn’t for their courage and willingness to put themselves in harm’s way, who knows how much worse things could have escalated. Their commitment to ensuring the safety of staff and customers and to assisting them get home safely was incredible.
“As everyone who is concerned about Dublin sets about repairing the damage done to the city, we have to take a longer-term, strategic approach to what steps can be taken to ensure lasting solutions. We believe it is essential that the policing strategy is adjusted so that there is now a high profile, sustained Garda presence on Dublin streets throughout the city centre on a permanent basis.
“This needs to be put in place immediately for the key trading period through to New Year, but it also has to amount to a lot more than a short-term response. That means maintaining the presence throughout 2024 and beyond. The LVA has been pressing for the need for higher visibility policing throughout the city for many months and the events on Thursday night once again emphasised why this is essential for the longer term maintenance of public order in our capital.
“This is also a very difficult and worrying time for those working in the city centre, especially those who have to work at night. Obviously a significant number of those people work in pubs and hospitality. It is essential that they are protected and they can feel safe in work, or travelling to and from work.
“We are particularly concerned about how the many non-national people in our city must be feeling. We are proud to have many non-nationals working for our members and we know how valuable a contribution people who were born outside Ireland make to the pubs and night-time economy of Dublin. Their input is essential.
“In light of the current circumstances, extra concern needs to be shown for their security and welfare, along with their colleagues employed in the night-time economy. This is a further reason why high profile policing will be vital as Dublin seeks to move on from Thursday’s events. To this end, we are calling on the Government to immediately commit the necessary resources to make a step-change in permanent policing visibility in our capital city, especially for the night-time economy,” O’Keeffe concluded.
