New O’Connell Street Garda Station ‘a small step to reviving Dublin’s main street’

The new garda station on O’Connell Street is “a small step to reviving Dublin’s main street”, a Labour senator has said.

However, Marie Sherlock has argued this policing response “must be accompanied by plans to tackle dereliction and the lack of available medical injection facilities in the area”.

“The opening of a new garda office is very welcome, but will only bring a real impact if all the other important steps are taken to revive the street,” the Dublin Central representative said.

“Poor behaviour on the street cannot be divorced from the wider issues of dereliction, the sky-high commercial rents, the lack of safe injection centres in the city centre and a stretched An Garda Síochana.

“It is not clear if the gardaí assigned to O’Connell Street come from the existing Store Street Garda Station resources or represent additional gardaí for the area.

“Furthermore, the limited opening hours from 8am until 2am daily is short-sighted and should be on a 24-hour basis,” she added.

Senator Sherlock added that O’Connell Street, as the city’s main thoroughfare, demands a strong garda presence for tourists, locals and those working in the area.

“Tourists and locals alike need to feel safe and ensuring a strong garda presence on the beat, not just at the station, will be crucial to the success of this,” Senator Sherlock said.

“There’s been much talk and little action on the revitalisation of O’Connell Street. It must be regenerated in a way that respects its position as the capital’s premier street, with respect shown to its historical and cultural importance, not just commercial and business interests.

“Extortionate commercial rents are driving many local businesses out of the area only to be either replaced by the big retailers or become derelict over time.

“We need the Government to have a plan for the street that is underpinned with good jobs and the local community at the heart of it.

“Clerys is due to open in two to three months’ time and if done well, with decent employment opportunities for the communities around O’Connell Street, it will play an important role in its revival.

“The Government is lacking a vision for a vibrant, creative area, ensuring employment opportunities for those in local communities. If we don’t get those other pieces right, this new garda station will have been a waste of resources.

“There’s a perception that O’Connell Street is not a safe space, so it’s vital there’s a garda presence on the street. It’s not just good enough to open a station,” she added.