Tánaiste Michael Martin says substance abuse is linked to “vicious” attacks on Irish towns and cities and needs to be addressed, reports Breaking News.
After an attack on an American tourist left one in critical condition, Mr Martin said Dublin was “broadly” safe and that there were parts of other Irish cities where people wouldn’t walk around at night.
Stephen Termini, a 50-year-old US tourist, was injured in an attack on Talbot Street in Dublin last week.
Since the attack, there have been calls for a greater police presence in central Dublin as ministers pledged to recruit more Gardaí and highlight the city’s security, reports Breaking News.
I think there is a broader problem with increased levels of drug activity, people engaging in drugs and then becoming very violent.
Justice Minister Helen McEntee said she felt safer in Dublin herself and said Gardaí recruitment has continued to increase since the pandemic.
Speaking to reporters from the Curragh Camp in Co Kildare, Mr Martin said: “Broadly speaking, Dublin city is safe but … people are concerned about particular areas that they will not traverse at night. A lot of violence, generally, alcohol and drug abuse is not far away when you see very vicious attacks of the kind that happened last week, and I condemn that without question. I’ve heard about people being randomly attacked in other parts of the country, in Cork and elsewhere, as well, just randomly attacked on our streets and that is not acceptable,” reports Breaking News.
He added: “There’s a wider issue in terms of, I think, the increased level of drug activity, people participating in drugs and then subsequently becoming very violent. That is something we have to tackle also,” reports Breaking News.
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