Justice Minister Helen McEntee said she “regrets” that a Dublin laneway has been closed after being grilled about our expose yesterday.
We revealed how drug addicts romped, shot up, and defecated in Harbour Court, and has been a problem for the last 30 years. The laneway was also a frequent spot for fights, thefts, anti-social behaviour, and narcotic abuse.
Speaking yesterday, Minister McEntee said: “Safety whether it’s on a laneway or on our streets, it’s a responsibility for many and yes, policing has a role to play.
“In Dublin city centre alone, there’s not a person in the city will not say that they haven’t seen an increase in the Garda presence. The Garda Commissioner has responded in the last number of months and the visibility – the increased presence has really made a difference.”
When asked if she planned on closing more laneways, McEntee said it was Dublin City Council who decided to shut it – not her. During an interview with Morning Ireland, she was then asked about our story.
Helen McEntee Dublin riots
McEntee said: “The decisions that were made clear to me, the reason for this, there was an increase in dumping, there was an increase in drug use … again I regret that any lane has been closed.
“Dublin City Council made this decision on foot of engagement with business, with local representatives but we need to respond in a multitude of ways.
“The local community partnership which is looking at crime and safety as a whole is not just looking at policing. It’s looking at safe spaces … it’s not just about policing. Policing is a huge part in keeping people safe but we need to look at it as a whole.
“Is there lighting, is there proper refuse collection, do we have services in the right place, are we supporting vulnerable people? That’s the reason why we have issues on lanes like this and we need to respond collectively.”
We visited Harbour Court on Wednesday and heard how fights, thefts, anti-social behaviour and narcotic abuse have been an ongoing problem in the area for the last 30 years.
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