Social Democrats TD Gary Gannon has expressed no confidence in Garda Commissioner Drew Harris following last night\u2019s unprecedented level of rioting in Dublin city centre.<\/p>\n
Deputy Gannon, who represents Dublin Central, said:<\/p>\n
\u201cThe scenes of near anarchy in our capital city last night have no place in any civilised democracy.<\/p>\n
\u201cLast night\u2019s shocking events are the result of an absence of leadership \u2013 from both Garda management and Justice Minister Helen McEntee; a lack of planning or preparedness; inadequate resources; and insufficient training. There must be accountability for these failures.<\/p>\n
\u201cFrom 2pm yesterday, far-right agitators were posting in social media channels \u2013 on Telegram and elsewhere \u2013 that large protests were planned near O\u2019Connell Street. Some Government offices were evacuated as early as 4pm yesterday, so it is clear there was an awareness of a heightened threat level.<\/p>\n
\u201cIn those circumstances, it beggars belief that the main thoroughfare of our capital city, and the surrounding area, were essentially surrendered to far-right thugs and marauding gangs for hours last night.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis lack of preparedness endangered rank-and-file garda\u00ed, who were at times completely outnumbered, surrounded and viciously attacked by these thugs. The central core of the city was effectively lawless and prominent businesses were looted while buses, Luas carriages and garda vehicles were set ablaze.<\/p>\n
\u201cI, and others, have been warning about the rise of the far-right and the problems of violence and anti-social behaviour in the inner city for at least 18 months. Throughout that time, the Garda Commissioner has adopted a policy of appeasement of the far-right, which has not worked and is now utterly discredited.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis level of wanton thuggery and criminality needs a far stronger policing response \u2013 not the kid glove approach adopted on this Commissioner\u2019s watch.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe riots in Dublin last night follow a spate of brutal attacks on tourists during the summer \u2013 in addition to violent far-right protests outside Leinster House \u2013 and will add to the perception that the city is no longer safe.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe Minister for Justice\u2019s only response was to announce \u20ac10 million in funding for garda overtime and some community wardens \u2013 a short-term, sticking plaster solution that will not fix the systemic issues we are facing.<\/p>\n
\u201cDespite the increased prevalence of far-right groups, the Commissioner has continued to take a softly-softly approach to this very real threat to law and order \u2013 an approach that blew up in his face in Dublin city centre last night.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt is little over two months since rank-and-file garda\u00ed in the GRA overwhelmingly voted no confidence in the Commissioner. Thursday\u2019s shameful events show that this lack of confidence was not misplaced.<\/p>\n
\u201cLast night\u2019s catastrophic policing failure must be a watershed moment in how the State responds to future security threats. I have lost all confidence in Drew Harris\u2019 ability to do that.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe Minister must now explain why, given the violent mayhem in Dublin last night, she should remain in her role \u2013 and she must come into the D\u00e1il at the earliest opportunity and do that.\u201d<\/p>\n
November 24, 2023<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Social Democrats TD Gary Gannon has expressed no confidence in Garda Commissioner Drew Harris following last night\u2019s unprecedented level of rioting in Dublin city centre. Deputy Gannon, who represents Dublin Central, said: \u201cThe scenes of near anarchy in our capital city last night have no place in any civilised democracy. \u201cLast night\u2019s shocking events are […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":2693,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[316,411,7],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-3281","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-gary-gannon","category-justice","category-press-release"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\n