Gardai in Dublin 'to change approach to policing public socialising after criticism'

Gardai in Dublin are set to revise their approach to policing public socialising in the capital after they faced criticism for their handling of large crowds in previous weeks.

A senior officer told the Irish Times that the force has 'reflected' on its policing of public socialising and would change how they deal with such situations.

The gardai will no longer police public socialising by showing a 'heavy presence' of public order officers. Instead, a large number of frontline officers will be sent into the city centre to patrol the streets.

Last month footage of gardai in riot gear clearing the streets of people who were socialising outdoors and closing off streets sparked criticism from the public.

Vicar Street owner, Harry Crosbie talks to firefighters and Gardai pictured this afternoon at Vicar Street music venue on Dublin's Thomas Street where a fire started on a second floor balcony. Several units of Dublin Fire Brigade quickly brought the fire under control (stock image) (Collins Agency, Dublin)

In late May and early June, there was a spike in antisocial behaviour as pubs and restaurants were permitted to serve takeaway food and drink but could not have customers sit outdoors at their premises.

This led to huge outdoor gatherings in the city centre that had to be dispersed by gardai for public safety.

At a meeting of the Dublin City Policing Committee on Tuesday, Assistant Commissioner of Dublin Anne Marie Cagney said that the “reopening of society is genuinely one of my policing priorities and it’s a policing priority for each superintendent.”

She said that gardai had responded to the public socialising by “having a heavy presence of public order personnel visible on the ground” and that this would now be replaced.

Following feedback from human rights groups, the business community and residential communities, Ms Cagney said gardai will now change its policing by showing “high visibility presence of frontline responders on the ground.”

She said: “We are seeing a huge presence of guards coming into the city centre.”

At the weekend, gardai from every division in the wider Dublin region and eastern regions are brought into the city centre to help police the area.

Ms Cagney said she herself goes into the city at weekends to ensure that there are enough gardai on patrol.

She said she had faced criticism from chiefs who have to send resources into the city at the weekend while still patrolling their own areas.