QUASH VIOLENCE

Gardai make huge 509 Dublin arrests in one week in city crackdown on anti-social behaviour

• Published: 15:20, 8 Aug 2023
• Updated: 15:21, 8 Aug 2023

GARDAI have made 509 arrests in the capital over the last week as bosses ramp up the crackdown on anti-social behaviour, it has emerged.

As part of ongoing operations to make Dublin safer, officers also undertook 689 searches and 1,500 patrols.

Latest stats show that 89 of the arrests were for drug trafficking and 500 searches were taken under the drugs act.

Of the 1,538 patrols, 57 were under Operation Citizen and 154 under Operation Saul, which was launched to provide support to travellers on public transport.

There was also 196 road safety checkpoints staged.

The Garda action comes after politicians and business owners called for more action following the alleged assault of US tourist Stephen Termini last month.

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Between July 28 and August 3, Gardai also attended nine protests and were involved in policing high profile sporting events across the capital.

The Gardai’s Assistant Commissioner for Dublin Angela Willis vowed to continue the fight against all forms of crime in the capital.

The senior officer said: “This amount and variety of operational activity in one week across the Dublin region shows the dedication of Gardai to actively work in communities to keep people safe.

“It reflects the work that is undertaken every week by Gardai in Dublin.

“In the last week alone, this has seen significant amounts of drugs taken off the streets, lives protected on our roads and enabled people and communities to enjoy a variety of events safely.”

Over the seven day period, Gardai also charged three men with robbery offences, charged a man with possession of €17,600 worth of cocaine, MDMA, cannabis and LSD and a suspected burglar.

Officers from Ballymun Drugs Unit also recovered €61,200 worth of MDMA powder and ecstasy tablets.

And €83,000 worth of cannabis was recovered in Clondalkin and €16,000 in cash was also seized.

The Garda action was welcomed by north inner city Independent councillor Nial Ring.

Mr Ring added: “It’s good to see a strong visible Garda presence on our streets because it provides reassurance to residents, tourists and business owners.”