Greenfort shooting - a warning more Gardaí are needed
Sinn Féin Dublin Mid West Representative Joanne Spain has called on the
Government to look urgently at the number of Gardaí currently stationed
in the West of Dublin, particularly in Clondalkin, following a drive-by
shooting in the area on Saturday. Spain said gun crime was increasing at a
terrifying rate in Dublin Mid West and it was apparent
there aren't
enough police to deal with the situation.
She said:
"Saturday's
incident resulted in a young woman being taken to hospital with head
injuries. It could have been much, much worse.
"The number of gun
crimes being reported in the West of Dublin makes for frightening reading.
It's only a short time since the M50 shootout and now we have another
situation where shots were fired from a moving car. This is Dublin we're
talking about, not Beirut.
"The people living in the Mid West of
Dublin have enough to contend with. The area is badly structured,
under-serviced and in most parts neglected by successive governments. As a
result, crime has risen dramatically. The numbers of guards available to
tackle crime has not risen in tandem.
"Minister for Justice
Michael McDowell passes legislation like it is going out of fashion. None of
this legislation is helping the people of Clondalkin who are dealing with
anti-social behaviour of an alarming scale. What this area needs is a proper
community policing presence to ensure residents feel secure that dangerous
elements within their communities are being monitored. ASBOS and a small
number of under-trained civilian reserves will not stop crime in Dublin. An increased,
well-resourced community policing service will."ENDS