DublinTown Statement: Substantial Pre-Christmas Garda Deployment Required In Dublin
- Tue 12 November, 2024
DublinTown is calling for visible Garda numbers in the city centre in the run up to Christmas to be similar to those which followed last year’s November riots.
DublinTown CEO Richard Guiney said footfall in the city centre this year trended down 2% on 2023, with DublinTown research consistently confirming concern for personal safety is the primary barrier to visiting.
“Consumer facing city centre businesses will hope to achieve 35% of their annual turnover between now and the end of the year,” he said. “This is truly a make or break time for many businesses at the end of what has been a very challenging year. While overall footfall is down 2%, some traders note sales lagging well behind that figure.”
DublinTown has stated that these figures require a response from the Minister for Justice Helen McEntee and Garda Commissioner Drew Harris at this critical time.
“In November 2023, a seriously enhanced and visible Garda presence instilled a sense of public safety and confidence, ensuring a better than expected Christmas period. Given the precarious position of many businesses now, this needs to be repeated.
“DublinTown, on behalf of the city’s 2,000 consumer facing businesses, is calling on the Government and Garda Commissioner to commit to a similar presence in November and December this year.”
While the report of the Taoiseach’s Taskforce points the way to rejuvenation, businesses must remain viable until its implementation.
“The situation is precarious, but Dubliners are proud of their city and want to reclaim it. DublinTown is confident that when the public see a concerted effort to rejuvenate the city core, they will row in behind it.
“But a successful Christmas period will be key to keeping many businesses in the city centre alive.”
See media coverage of our statement:
- Irish Independent: Increased garda presence urged in Dublin city centre in run-up to Christmas (click here)
- Dublin Live: Garda presence in Dublin similar to after last year’s riots ‘needed this Christmas’ (click here)
- Business Post: Dublin Town: More Gardaí needed to support city centre businesses during ‘make or break’ period (click here)
- Newstalk Breakfast: Calls for more Gardaí in Dublin over Christmas period (click here)