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The worsening overcrowding crisis in prisons highlights the need for reform of a failing justice system, according to Social Democrats justice spokesperson Gary Gannon. Deputy Gannon, who will visit the Dóchas women’s prison this week alongside his colleague Senator Patricia Stephenson, said: “The most recent figures show the Dóchas facility is operating at 138% capacity […]

It’s past time the government took action on reversing the deterioration of Dublin’s city centre, according to Social Democrat’s justice spokesperson Gary Gannon, who represents Dublin Central. Deputy Gannon said: “I welcome this proposal as a step in the right direction – the GPO is a symbol of our heritage, and it should be a […]

Lack of clarity from the government on when funding will be provided to implement the recommendations of the Dublin City Taskforce is disappointing, but hardly surprising, according to Social Democrats TD Gary Gannon. Deputy Gannon, who represents Dublin Central, said: “Having neglected Dublin city centre for 14 years in government, Fine Gael suddenly developed a […]

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 […]

Social Democrats TD Gary Gannon has criticised the decision to close Dublin city centre’s only public toilets, calling it a shortsighted move that shows just how little planning or imagination exists at the heart of government. Deputy Gannon, who represents Dublin Central, said: “Closing the only public toilets in the middle of Dublin, just as […]

The current state of Ireland’s prison system is appalling for both those in custody and the prison officers working there, according to Social Democrats TD Gary Gannon. Deputy Gannon, the party’s justice spokesperson, said: “With over 5,300 people incarcerated, nearly 400 sleeping on floors, and violent incidents occurring daily, the system is bursting at the […]

Proposing sweeping changes to asylum processes without showing how they can be achieved is a deeply cynical move, according to Social Democrats TD Gary Gannon. Deputy Gannon, who’s the party’s justice spokesperson, said: “It’s no coincidence that, following his absence from the Garda Representative Association conference, where rank-and-file gardaí expressed deep dissatisfaction with the state […]

The government’s headlong rush to introduce facial recognition technology (FRT) without adequate safeguards or transparency is deeply concerning, according to Social Democrats TD Gary Gannon. Deputy Gannon, the party’s Dublin Central TD and spokesperson on justice, said: “This week’s comments from the Minister for Justice about the ‘well advanced’ work on introducing facial recognition technology […]

The Justice Minister’s failure to meaningfully engage with members of An Garda Síochána is compounding an already serious crisis in the force, according to Social Democrats TD Gary Gannon. Deputy Gannon, who is the party’s spokesperson on justice, said: “Speaking on RTÉ this morning, the general secretary of the Association of Garda Sergeants and Inspectors […]

Justice Minister Jim O Callaghan’s decision not to attend the Garda Representative Association’s rank and file annual conference this year is a missed opportunity to demonstrate meaningful support for members of the force at a crucial juncture, according to Social Democrats TD Gary Gannon Deputy Gannon, who is the party’s spokesperson on justice, said: “The […]