Deputy Emmet Stagg (Labour) has responded with incredulity to the eleventh hour call from Fianna Fail candidate Paul Kelly for a ‘get tough’ policy on street violence:
“This from a Party that promised ‘zero tolerance’ in 1997 is simply unbelievable.
Cllr. Kelly and his Party have been in power for the last 5 years and they have allowed street violence to escalate to the point where decent citizens are afraid to walk the streets in the towns and villages of North Kildare.
The reason for the fear is real – citizens are regularly attacked and assaulted as they walk home in their own neighbourhood. And Paul Kelly and Fianna Fail did nothing to tackle this issue – zero tolerance indeed.
They have stood idly by while groups of larger drinking youths have colonised the open spaces in housing estates that were intended for the recreational use of residents. These are now virtually ‘no go areas’ and Fianna Fail and the Progressive Democrats did nothing to claim these areas back for decent citizens.
Residents are now dreading the long summer nights which will see an escalation of the gang activity into the small hours – with fights, drinking and loud ‘ghetto blaster’ music.
At every meeting of Kildare County Council Motions are passed to block off pedestrian access routes and green areas – these were designed and intended for the convenience and enjoyment of citizens. The only response from Fianna Fail and the Progressive Democrats was to extend the opening hours for public houses. Some zero tolerance.
No tree, hanging basket or flower bed is safe and citizens who complain are likely to have their homes targeted by the gangs who know they can act with impunity. That is the legacy of five years of Fianna Fail and Progressive Democrat zero tolerance.
At a recent, very well attended, meeting in Celbridge to discuss the crisis, citizens attending refused to give their names and the press were excluded. The reason for this caution was the fear that if names were published their homes would be targeted.
There are a number of such cases recorded and we were promised zero tolerance.
We have come to a sorry pass under Fianna Fail and Progressive Democrat stewardship.
And now to add insult to injury, we have the Fianna Fail candidate after their five years in office, calling for new legalisation. If new legislation was required why wasn’t it enacted before now?
It must be clearly stated that there is adequate legislation to deal with what is a real crisis if that legislation were enforced.
o It is illegal to consume alcoholic drink in public in practically all towns in North Kildare.
o It is illegal under the Public Order Act to assemble in a threatening or aggressive manner in a public place.
o It is illegal to play loud music or disturb the peace.
o It is illegal to sell alcoholic drink to underage persons.
o It is illegal to be drunk in public.
The question must be answered by those who are now promising ‘new laws’, why are the existing laws not enforced – where is the zero tolerance that you promised?
They must also tell the public why they did not provide the necessary resources to the Gardaí and the Courts to deal effectively with this crisis.
Labour in Government will reorganise the Gardaí and give them the resources to effectively police the communities they serve and will also ensure that the Courts can
quickly respond to cases brought before them.
Regular foot patrols by Gardaí on the streets and in the housing estates – backed up by patrol cars are the best deterrent to anti social behaviour and street violence. The constant presence of the Gardaí is and will be the best deterrent and is the norm in all other European Countries.
Vague promises of ‘new legislation’ and ‘get tough’ policies won’t con the public again.”