Kildare North policing 'suffering' due to delay in legislation

A Sinn Féin TD for Kildare North has said that the Department of Justice's failure to commence the Policing, Security and Community Safety Act is negatively impacting on local policing.

Speaking on the continued delay of the legislation, Deputy Réada Cronin said communities are suffering increased violence and anti-social behaviour because of inaction by Government.

Deputy Cronin told Kildare Live: "People in North Kildare have been left without Local Community Safety Partnerships (LCSP) because of the delay to the Policing, Security and Community Safety Act.

"The Bill was signed into law in February of last year, yet still has not been commenced. The LCSP brings together community members, the voluntary and community sector, statutory services, and local councillors to work together in identifying and tackling community safety issues locally.

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"It was intended to replace the Joint Policing Committee (JPC) which had been in operation since 2006. But a vacuum has been created by government as people are now left without JPCs in their community while they wait for the establishment of the LCSP."

Deputy Cronin said the delay in introducing legislation is "unacceptable."

She claimed Dublin City Council has been able to retain the use of JPCs while the LCSPS are waiting to be established, and are continuing to see positive results of the JPC in their community.

Meanwhile, she said, the people in North Kildare are "suffering."

She said: "We are seeing serious issues of violence and anti-social behaviour in our communities. This year alone, we have seen cases of assault in Celbridge, Clane, Maynooth, Naas and Kilcock.

"Emergency calls to an Garda Síochána related to domestic violence rose a staggering 25% in Kildare last year from 2023. We must do better."

Deputy Cronin continued: "I have written to the Minister for Justice stressing the importance of this bill and when it will finally be commenced. People cannot wait any longer.

"People deserve to feel safe in their communities and want to be involved in initiatives such as the LCSP. I am once again urging Minister O’Callaghan to commence the Policing, Security and Community Safety Act as soon as possible."