Dubliners need to become active members of their local communities in order for the city to thrive, Lord Mayor of Dublin Eibhlin Byrne has said.
Speaking at the launch of Dublin City Council's new Community and Neighbourhood Development strategy at the Mansion House this afternoon, Ms Byrne said the events linked to the fatal shooting of Aidan O'Kane (50) in East Wall last weekend was a microcosm of what is happening in other areas across the capital.
The 50-year-old father of one, who was shot as he chased a group of teenagers down a laneway near his home on Sunday evening, was in dispute with a number of local youths before his death.
"There are lots of problems in areas of the city and we need to develop the kind of community in which people are willing to play their part because they can't always rely on the State to fill in the gap," said Ms Byrne.
"We know there are certain people who are switched off from society and who are engaging in anti-social behaviour. We see the results of their behaviour in areas like East Wall and to change this there's a real need for us to re-commit ourselves to reaching out to all the members of the community."
Dublin City Council's new strategy is aimed at re-energising local communties through a number of initiatives including neighbourhood forums, community gardens and street parties.
Ms Byrne said while the council can offer the kind of structures to help local areas thrive it cannot create a sense of community, because that can only come from each individual contributing and feeling a part of it.
"We have young, often single parents who are parenting alone and are feeling the strain. A helping hand from neighbours or local groups can very often be all that is required. We also have older people living alone who have huge life who can contribute to their community by teaching younger people the lessons that maybe they haven't learnt at school," said the Lord Mayor.
"Older people often feel in a technological age that they have nothing to offer but when it comes to community they have everything to give because what's fundamental to the community is life experience; sharing what you've learnt and helping others not to make the same mistakes," she added.
