Jim O’Callaghan: ‘Violent Dublin youths are prowling the city looking for people to attack’

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Gangs of youths are ‘prowling Dublin city at night looking for people to attack’, a senior Fianna Fáil TD has told the Dáil.

Deputy Jim O’Callaghan said that a ‘dangerous level of unprovoked and gratuitous violence’ is being perpetrated, particularly against women and gay people.

‘We need to understand what is happening. Gangs of youths who believe they are immune to apprehension are prowling Dublin city at night time looking for people to attack,’ he said.

© Provided by Extra.ieDeputy Jim O’Callaghan said that a ‘dangerous level of unprovoked and gratuitous violence’ is being perpetrated, particularly against women and gay people. Pic: Gareth Chaney/Collins Photos

‘Three weeks ago, a 23-year-old man was viciously assaulted on Dame Street after he had been subjected to homophobic abuse.

‘That young man had his left eye socket fractured. On the same night, an Italian man was also attacked around the same vicinity. Two weeks ago, a 24-year-old Englishman was gratuitously assaulted on D’Olier Street and is now fighting for his life.’

Deputy O’Callaghan added that these gangs are ‘misogynistic’ and ‘homophobic’.

‘They are particularly seeking to target men in their late teens to their 30s who are on their own or just with one other person,’ he said.

Deputy O’Callaghan said the part of the solution is that Dublin needs more gardaí on the streets.

© Provided by Extra.ieGangs of youths are ‘prowling Dublin city at night looking for people to attack’, senior Fianna Fáil TD Jim O’Callaghan has told the Dáil. Pic: Gareth Chaney/Collins

‘If you go to other European cities you see a good number of policemen policing those city centres at night-time. We do not have enough gardaí on the streets at night-time,’ he said.

He added: ‘I do not want to see gardaí at meetings at night-time or stuck in Garda stations. I want to see them out patrolling the inner city. I fear that we will not get a strong enough response until regrettably a tourist is killed in this city. If it is not checked or challenged, Dublin will get a terrible name as a place of violence.’

In response, Junior Minister for Community Development Joe O’Brien said: ‘The Minister for Justice, Deputy Helen McEntee, and I utterly condemn the deplorable violent attacks that took place in Dublin… and wish the victims of these incidents a healthy recovery.

© Provided by Extra.ieDeputy O’Callaghan said the part of the solution is that Dublin needs more gardaí on the streets. Pic: Gareth Chaney/Collins Photos

‘People should be able to feel safe and be safe, whether they live or work in Dublin, or want to visit and enjoy our capital city.’

He added: ‘I can assure the deputy that matters of community safety are taken very seriously by the Government, and departments and agencies are continually exploring policy, legislative and operational measures to combat all forms of violence.’