From streetscape upgrades to policing — new 50-point plan to tackle Dublin crime

Local Community Safety Plan launched on Friday will include health and environmental initiatives as well as measures to tackle crime

The Dublin North Inner City Local Community Safety Plan follows similar initiatives in Waterford and Longford as part of the national rollout which will continue into 2024. File picture: Maxwell's 

New programmes for young offenders engaged in violent crime are among 50 actions in a new plan to tackle antisocial behaviour and crime such as drug dealing in Dublin’s north inner city.

The plan is being published after a spate of high-profile attacks in the area, including the assault of American visitor Stephen Termini. 

Justice Minister Helen McEntee and Public Expenditure Minister Paschal Donohoe will today launch the Dublin North Inner City Local Community Safety Plan ahead of the continued rollout of local community safety partnerships across the country next year.

The Dublin plan acknowledges that the local community knows best how to improve safety in their area and — working with the HSE, Tusla, education providers, business groups, An Garda Síochána, and public and community representatives — will draw up plans to identify what actions are needed.

Drug outreach programmes, particularly for under-18s, will be extended, and the HSE will provide a health bus to promote positive health interventions such as vaccinations and tackling obesity.

Dublin City Council will carry out regular audits of streetscapes — including lighting, cleanliness, and maintenance — to improve a sense of safety. The council will also review and refresh infrastructure of key commercial streets, prioritising O’Connell St, Talbot St, Moore St, and Capel St, and will work with business groups such as Dublin Town to tackle illegal dumping.

What's your view on this issue?

You can tell us here

Ms McEntee said: “The north inner city is a wonderful part of Dublin, and indeed our country.

“It has brilliant communities — families with roots going back generations, as well as new arrivals making the area their home. It has the commercial heart of our city centre, bringing so many of us in to shop and do business every day.

But she said there are “challenges too” and she wants to ensure people living and working in the capital, and those who visit the city, are safe and feel safe.

In July, Ms McEntee announced €10m of additional funding for garda overtime in Dublin, specifically to increase high-visibility policing and prevent crime. However, she added: 

Having stronger, safer communities is at the core of my work as Minister for Justice. Gardaí across the city continue to work hard to keep people safe, to prevent crime and provide reassurance.

“Where incidents take place, An Garda Síochána move swiftly to fully investigate, make arrests, and bring those responsible to justice.”

Each of the organisations included in the plan has committed to implement the actions identified by the Community Safety Partnership.

The launch of the Dublin Community Safety plan follows those in Longford and Waterford which were also established by Ms McEntee ahead of the national rollout of community safety partnerships across the country next year.

Ms McEntee said: “Increasing community safety, people being safe, and feeling safe too, is not only the responsibility of the justice system or An Garda Síochána. It requires many of us in State agencies and organisations working together — and working with the local community.