The drug trade must not be allowed to ravage our most disadvantaged areas any longer, according to Social Democrats Councillor Daniel Ennis and justice spokesperson Gary Gannon TD. Councillor Ennis said: “Over 1,000 cases of drug-related intimidation were recorded by drug and alcohol services in 2025, which affected all age groups, including children and the […]
Read moreChronic underfunding of policing and safety initiatives in Ballymun has exposed children to the horrors of the drug trade, according to Social Democrats TD Rory Hearne. Deputy Hearne, who represents the Ballymun area, said: “Yesterday’s incident in Ballymun happened as a result of safety and drug-related intimidation being left unchallenged in the community by successive […]
Read moreA scoping inquiry into Michael Shine, the former surgeon convicted of multiple counts of child sexual abuse, is welcome but must lead to a full statutory inquiry, according to Social Democrats health spokesperson Pádraig Rice. Deputy Rice said: “I welcome the news that the cabinet is set to approve a scoping inquiry into Michael Shine […]
Read moreExpanding prison capacity will not fix systemic failures in Ireland’s justice system, according to Social Democrats justice spokesperson Gary Gannon. Deputy Gannon said: “In 2024, there was a 55% increase in deaths in Irish prisons – this is not a crisis we can build our way out of. “In their annual report, the Inspector of […]
Read moreSocial Democrats justice spokesperson Gary Gannon has condemned the appalling violence which took place in Citywest last night. Deputy Gannon said: “The alleged sexual assault of a 10-year-old girl, who was supposed to be in the care of the State, is shocking on so many levels – my thoughts are with her and her family. […]
Read moreSocial Democrats children spokesperson Aidan Farrelly has today slammed the government’s latest response to juvenile anti-social behaviour. Deputy Farrelly said: “I am getting sick and tired of seeing politicians and commentators conflate anti-social behaviour and criminal activity. “Anti-social behaviour is defined as nuisance or disturbance, such as hanging around or making noise – things that […]
Read moreIt is absolutely terrifying to think that in Ireland in 2025, people can be tracked right to their very door through data that is being openly sold, according to Social Democrats justice spokesperson Gary Gannon. Deputy Gannon said: “This is a breach of privacy and, as Women’s Aid CEO Sarah Benson rightly pointed out, a […]
Read moreTo date, the state has shown no concrete intention of adequately funding the recommendations of the Dublin City Taskforce, a status quo which must now end, according to Social Democrats justice spokesperson Gary Gannon. Deputy Gannon, who represents Dublin Central, said: “Fine Gael’s sudden interest in city regeneration in the run up to the 2024 […]
Read moreThe Minister for Justice’s comments today that he would feel safe walking around Dublin at any time of the day or night show how far removed he is from the reality of life in our capital city, according to Social Democrats TD Gary Gannon. Deputy Gannon, who represents Dublin Central and is the party’s justice spokesperson, […]
Read moreThe government must not repeat the same failed approach to the expansion of the prison system by treating rehabilitation as an afterthought, according to Social Democrats TD Gary Gannon. Deputy Gannon, who is the party’s spokesperson on justice, said: “With a record number of people in prisons and sleeping on floors, it’s clear that our […]
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