McDowell faces anger for reneging on crime pledges

OPPOSITION parties have accused the Government of reneging on election promises to increase the number of gardaí on the beat, as the public backlash over street crime grows.

Justice Minister Michael McDowell was also accused of dragging his feet over new public order legislation first published last year but still only at report stage.

The attack on the Government comes as figures reveal an increase in violent crime. These figures are backed up by a spate of late night attacks in the centre of major cities, particularly Dublin.