Searches ‘bordering on oppressive’

Gardaí have conducted over 9,000 drug searches in the centre of Dublin so far this year in a policy that the Garda chief responsible described as “bordering on oppressive policing”.

Chief Superintendent Pat Leahy said if gardaí searched any more people it would result in complaints against them.

Gardaí adopted the strategy in response to the level of drug usage, dealing, and drug-related nuisance in a small part of the north inner city, centred around O’Connell St and neighbouring areas.

“There were 4,200 searches under the drugs act last year. This year there have been 9,100, that’s up 114%,” said Chief Supt Leahy. “In anyone’s language that is bordering on oppressive policing.”

He said the strategy involved a “huge amount” of Garda activity, with each person having to be brought to Store St Garda Station and searched.

“The number of searches is twice the amount last year. To engage in any more robust fashion would start to generate complaints against gardaí.”

He said a “huge number” of the searches were conducted on O’Connell St and Marlborough St, which run parallel to each other.

He said that contrary to the impression the media gave, assaults and public order incidents were actually down — 12% and 15% respectively. He said that overall the number of crimes against the person was down 11% and possession of offensive weapons down 19%.

“The city centre is a far safer place than last year and last year was safer than the year before,” he told the Dublin City Council central area joint policing committee.

He said he accepted the situation was not perfect. He said between 900 and 3,000 people accessed drug treatment and related services in the area every day.

He said the problem was more of a “visual” one.

Local community representative Gerry Fay said the boardwalk area was a “disaster”, claiming it had been “commandeered” by drugs users and dealers.

Fine Gael TD Paschal Donoghue, who represents Dublin Central, said he accepted the figures, but added: “I don’t think people feel any safer and that is not purely the result of the media.”

Politicians said drug addicts in outlying areas should be treated near their homes, which would take the pressure off the city centre.

Cllr Christy Burke (Ind) praised gardaí for arresting a Latvian dealer who was trading at the memorial for those who died from drugs on Sean McDermott St. He said this was a “total insult” to residents and that the area was “out of bounds” to dealers.