SERIOUS fears around returning to the dark days of violent criminality that plagued Limerick City in the early 2000s have been raised in the Dáil.
Sinn Fein TD Maurice Quinlivan highlighted his concerns to Minister of State at the Department of Justice, and fellow Limerick TD, Niall Collins, as he raised questions on the initiatives being undertaken to ensure public safety.
“The Minister should be aware that criminal feuding in parts of Limerick in recent weeks have seen an escalation in violence. In recent weeks, this violence has escalated in dramatic proportions, particularly in Ballinacurra Weston and surrounding areas. For fear of criminal retaliation, much of this violence has gone unreported,” Deputy Quinlivan claimed.
“However, among the most recent incidents, there have been gun and arson attacks on homes and cars, assaults on people in the area and threats of violence against and intimidation of others. I am extremely concerned for the residents of the area.”
Minister Collins explained that targeting the work of organised crime groups who inflict intimidation and violence on families and communities is a top priority for his department and the Government.
He said that Gardaí are “carrying out a range of both high-visibility and covert operations on an ongoing basis to support public safety in Limerick”.
“Garda activities in Limerick include separate ongoing operations targeting money laundering activities by organised criminals involved in the drug trade, burglary, disrupting drug dealing networks, and providing a daily proactive policing presence in areas affected by serious criminality in Limerick,” Minister Collins commented.
Deputy Quinlivan suggested that “we are seeing a pattern in Limerick. It is a pattern that sees Gardaí intensifying their efforts in one area, leading to re-emerging criminal elements in other parts of the city”.
“For instance, when we focus on Ballinacurra Weston, People’s Park, St Mary’s Park, and Garryowen, they will have zero Garda presence.”
Minister Collins indicated that there are 35 Gardaí assigned to the Garda roads policing unit, an increase of five since the start of last year, and 32 designated community Gardaí, an increase of two since the start of last year.
“Additionally, we have 71 Garda civilian staff assigned to the Limerick division, which is freeing up a huge amount of time and resources of sworn gardaí to be devoted to front-line policing.”