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Expanding 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 […]

Social 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. […]

Social 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 […]

It 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 […]

To 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 […]

The 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, […]

The 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 […]

Prioritising band-aid measures while ignoring the deeper issues in policing will not address the Garda recruitment and retention crisis, according to Social Democrats justice spokesperson Gary Gannon. Deputy Gannon was commenting as Justice Minister Jim O’Callaghan prepares to bring a report to Cabinet detailing changes to public order policing in the wake of the 2023 […]

Overcrowding in our youth detention system must be urgently addressed, but it is essential that we move away from simply expanding detention facilities, according to Social Democrats TD Gary Gannon. Deputy Gannon, the party’s Justice spokesperson, said: “While the recent crackdown on the ‘Lucky Dip’ gang by An Garda Síochána is welcome, the root cause […]

There’s no time to waste when it comes to addressing appalling conditions in our prison system, according to Social Democrats TD Gary Gannon. Deputy Gannon, the party’s Justice spokesperson, said: “The conditions described in the Office of the Inspector of Prisons (OIP) report are horrendous – some prisoners are forced to sleep on floors and […]