FEAR CITY

Dublin city ‘relatively safe’ compared to other capitals as Leo Varadkar insists Government’s ‘making laws tougher’

Criminality in Dublin has been one of the ­dominant political issues over the past year

• Published: 7:00, 29 Dec 2023

DUBLIN’S a “relatively safe” city compared to other major capitals, the Taoiseach claims

Criminality in the Fair City has been one of the ­dominant political issues over the past year with more than 100 cops on the streets of the capital for the festive season.

The city’s safety dominated Dail discussions earlier this year when US tourist Stephen Termini, 57, was attacked by youths on Talbot Street.

And policing in Dublin again came in for much ­criticism in November when cops lost control of the city to a violent mob during the riots that were sparked by a knife attack on children.

But Leo Varadkar has now moved to reassure people that Dublin is a much safer place than the capital cities of other western countries.

He said: “If you look at something like the murder rate, for example, in Ireland or Dublin, compare that to other countries or other major cities, you’ll see that Dublin and Ireland are ­relatively safe relative to other countries and other ­cities in the ­western world.

“But there’s no place that’s 100 per cent safe and I acknowledge that.

“What I say to people is that we’re taking actions in all of these areas, increasing Garda numbers and Garda resources, making our laws tougher, with tougher sentences in particular, appointing more judges, expanding our prison places.

“[There is] also a big focus now on community safety partnerships, because it can’t be all just about a law and order response. Other things are important too, including things like street lighting, like cameras, like engaging with different services around addiction and mental health.”

Pressed on the experiences of people who have been assaulted in Dublin, Leo insisted they aren’t the norm.

He said: “Of course I am concerned about individual negative experiences that people have in Dublin or anywhere else.”

But he added: “Most people, thankfully, don’t experience being victims of violent crime in Dublin or anywhere else.

“While it’s really important that we listen to and acknowledge the stories of people who have a very bad experience, we have a responsibility . . .  not to make the mistake of thinking that bad experiences are the majority or are the norm.”