GARDA GUNS TO PROTECT THE CAPITAL

Operation Citizen aims to make city a 'safe place' for all

- PAUL HEALY and SEAN MURPHY

THE Garda’s riot squad, backed up by armed police units, is to be deployed onto the streets of Dublin to tackle the scourge of violent crime blighting the city. 

In a major announcement yesterday, Garda chiefs revealed they will use €2million worth of Government funding to fully deploy the National Public Order Unit to tackle the capital’s crime problem.

A new Garda policing plan will also see armed units increasing their vehicle patrols around Dublin – though they will not walk the streets.

The significant development comes after a recent spate of high-profile incidents of crime in the capital.

This includes a horrific attack on an American tourist in Talbot Street and an incident in the heart of Temple Bar.

There will also be an enhanced number of officers policing main thoroughfares and the Liffey Boardwalk – in a major effort to stamp out crime.

The force said Operation Citizen will see “an increased deployment of the Garda National Public Order Unit in the city centre with 20% of the €10million in overtime being dedicated to providing additional public order capacity in the city centre on a daily basis”.

The Garda Air Support Unit, the Garda Mounted Unit, the Garda Dog Unit, Regional Armed Response Units, and Road Policing Units will also be deployed “to enhance Garda visibility in the city centre,” the force said.

It is understood that armed officers will be increasing their vehicular patrols of the city – but that they won’t be walking the streets.

BUDGET