Dublin city centre's riot-hit areas have 15% fewer gardaí

Justice Minister Helen McEntee told the justice committee that while parts of the city centre were 'not safe' for a period during the rioting, she did not accept gardaí 'lost control'. Picture: Stephen Collins/Collins

The two Dublin city centre Garda stations confronted with unprecedented rioting a fortnight ago have seen their Garda numbers cut by about 15% in the last four years, figures show.

The Oireachtas justice committee heard on Thursday that gardaí were being taken from surrounding divisions to try and increase garda visibility in Dublin city centre, with one TD saying this was “draining” gardaí from those areas.