Review garda resources

AS random violence continues to increase on the streets of cities and towns, it is symptomatic of the malaise now affecting society that morale should be at a new low point within the ranks of the gardaí.

The finger of blame for allowing the crime situation to get out of control now points sharply at the policy of the previous administration. In particular, the Department of Justice under former Minister John O’Donoghue stands accused of adopting an ostrich-like approach to the crisis. Despite a virtual flood of media reports showing casual violence was soaring, the department kept its head in the sands.

Indeed, it has even been accused of engaging in deliberate deception regarding the crime explosion. So acute is the problem today, according to Fine Gael’s justice spokesman John Deasy, that society is confronted by a complete breakdown of the criminal justice system.