Garda boss and justice minister agree Dublin 'is safe'

New Commissioner Justin Kelly, who started on September 1, said part of the response is greater garda visibility, investment in community policing, and continuing operations by the regional Dublin Crime Response Team. Picture: Niall Carson/PA

Garda Commissioner Justin Kelly has said he “doesn’t accept” parts of Dublin are not safe or that drug gangs have taken over certain areas — but does accept some people don’t “feel safe” and that it is his job to “turn that around”.

He said he is planning to expand a high-visibility policing presence in Dublin city centre to other parts of the capital and to other cities, such as Cork.