"Where is the Review into the Policing of the Dublin Riots That Minister McEntee Claims is Complete " – Tóibín
Aontú Leader and Meath West TD Peadar Tóibín has questioned the Minister for Justice on the whether the promised fundamental review into the disastrous policing of the Dublin Riots actually exists. He stated:
“In November 2023, after the horrendous Dublin Riots, the Minister for Justice stated that there would be a full review of the Garda handling of the crisis. 8 months later in July this year I asked the Minister, two simple questions, “if any of the recommendations of the 2018 Garda Inspectorate Report have been implemented; and if so, the actions that have been taken for each recommendation and “if the fundamental review of policing during the Dublin riots has been completed; if so, the recommendations; the actions that have been taken for each of these recommendations”.
“Two months later, in September, the Minister replied and said “It has not been possible to collate the information requested by the Deputy in the time available. I will write to the Deputy directly once the information is to hand”. To date I have received no letter from the Minister as promised in relation whether the review exists and whether recommendations have been implemented. Today on the RTE Claire Byrne Show the Minister under questioning from me state that the review had been completed and that changes had been made. If this is true and I am sceptical, why has she kept the review secret. Where is the review. Why has it not been published. Our capital was on fire last year. Millions of euros of damage was meted out and lives were put at risk. The policing on the day was a disaster. Surely citizens are entitled to seek the results of the review and be told what steps will be taken by the government”.
“It was reported to me at the time of the Dublin Riots that there was no plan put in place early in the day. As protests started to develop only the standard public order unit was on patrol in the city up until 6pm. Theis Unit has only 3 vans, each with 1 driver, a sergeant and 6 Garda. It was only at 6pm that Gardaí were properly mobilised into the city centre from stations around the city. This was done in many cases by Whats App by other Gardaí who were under pressure. It took time to get Gardaí to the location due to traffic in the city”.
“At 7pm Gardaí coming off duty were told that they had to stay on duty and mobilise into the city centre. They had to travel to Santry first to pick up vans, Body Armour and Shields. It was pandemonium in Santry with no structure, not enough shields and body armour and with traffic it was 8 pm before many of these Gardaí got into the city centre. Gardaí were left exposed and vulnerable with at one stage 8 Gardaí being faced down by 50 thugs. The lives and safety of many Gardaí were put at risk by what appears to be little of no structured plans. Not to mention the level of destruction that happened in our city.
“The fact that that we have not been told about the investigation into the operational mayhem that took place, never mind seem recommendations being actioned upon highlights the rudderless leadership being provided by the Minister. Statements by the Tánaiste that the court system is taking too long to convict law breakers is also spurious. The criminal justice system is grinding to a halt because we don’t have enough Garda. We don’t have enough judges. We don’t have enough criminal barristers. We need to modernise our criminal justice system. It’s a pity the Tánsaiste didn’t grasp the nettle during his last 9 years in government.”
