“WARNINGS” have been posted around Limerick cautioning the public to avoid members of a “vigilante” group patrolling the city.
The stickers, spotted on lampposts across the city centre, claim that the groups “are dangerous” and can be seen wearing “blue vests”. The posts, emblazoned with the word “warning”, advise people to avoid the blue vest-wearing “vigilantes” when they are on patrol.
The group in question, Sinne Na Daoine (SND), says it is “aware” of the sticker campaign, but its members will not be deterred and “will continue to patrol Limerick streets”.
This comes as Gardaí have warned that “the actions of certain private groups are a cause for concern for An Garda Síochána” and urged the public to be mindful that they are the sole agency invested with the statutory role of preserving public order.
Gardaí also warned of potential for “confrontation between such volunteer safety groups” and other members of the public, along with “legal concerns surrounding their activities”.
The SND group, with branches nationwide, describes itself as a community-based watchdog.
The group’s website claims that local communities are “increasingly aware of the significant cultural and ethnic changes reshaping the fabric of their towns and villages”, and that “while diversity can enrich a community through new perspectives, traditions, and shared experiences, it also raises concerns about how such large-scale changes might affect the safety and wellbeing of families”.
The group’s website states that members gather to patrol the streets and ensure “a safe environment for the vulnerable in our towns”.
The group also claims that patrol members undergo “comprehensive training to handle various situations”.
When contacted by the Limerick Post, the group said it was “aware” of the sticker campaign “due to the diligence of our members from that area”. It hit out at those it believes responsible for the campaign as hypocritical on topics of “free speech and freedom of expression”.
The SND confirmed that members will continue to patrol Limerick streets, and pointed out that its members are made up of “men and women of various ages and from various backgrounds”.
The group claimed that “it is the media who label us as vigilantes as it is part of an agenda to smear our group to dissuade any new potential to members to join us. But we have found these actions to have the reverse effect insofar as it draws more people to us. And our numbers continue to grow.”
When asked for comment, An Garda Síochána told the Limerick Post that it is the sole agency invested with the statutory role of preserving peace and public order.
“It is An Garda Síochána’s statutory role to investigate crime and enforce enacted legislation, ensuring that every citizen is afforded their constitutional right to innocence until proven guilty and a human rights-based criminal investigation,” a Garda spokesperson said.
“An Garda Síochána urges anyone with information regarding breaches of criminal law to report it directly to us, where it will be investigated professionally and thoroughly.
“An Garda Síochána works closely with our communities in line with our mission of keeping people safe. An Garda Síochána, in addition to community policing units, has a number of initiatives in place to facilitate engagement with communities and reporting of concerns including Community Alert, Neighbourhood Watch, Community Text Alert and ‘See Something, Say Something’ and the Garda Confidential phone number 1800 666 111.”
Gardaí also told this publication that Gardaí are acutely aware of a significant volume of misinformation, disinformation, and fake news in circulation in relation to public safety.
“The actions of certain private groups are a cause for concern for An Garda Síochána and other police services,” the Garda spokesperson said.
“An Garda Síochána would be concerned that, even with the best of intentions, there is potential for confrontation between such volunteer safety patrols groups and other persons, confrontations which could result in harm to any person present.
“Additionally, there are legal concerns surrounding their activities, which may also have implications for future criminal proceedings.”
Last month, SND members were among those sharing footage online of an Afghan man being confronted with false allegations in the People’s Park. He was subsequently violently assaulted in the city.
The victim of this attack, according to the CEO of migrant support organisation Doras CEO, John Lannon, was seeking safety in Ireland and instead found himself at the centre of an online disinformation campaign that turned violent.
