Thursday was a dark day in Dublin. The shocking attack in Parnell Square was followed by rioting and damage in Dublin city centre on a scale not seen for many years. It was initially promoted by those looking for an excuse to take to the streets on the basis of a far-right, anti-immigrant agenda and taken up by those who just wanted to cause trouble. The results were injuries, some of them serious, to gardaí, who were viciously attacked, a terrifying night for many working in or visiting the city centre and tens of millions of euro in damage. The pictures flashed around the world; the blow to the city’s sense of itself as a mecca for entertainment, tourism and fun is a super-sized one.
The full story of Thursday will take time to unravel. But some things are clear. The attack at the school in Parnell Square represents every parent’s nightmare and will heighten the pervasive sense of insecurity on the city’s streets. The scale of the violence and looting which followed was shocking. And while much of the disorder was opportunist, it is clear that far-right agitators had waited for this moment and were only too happy to see their protests escalate into mayhem. It would be foolish to believe that more of this will not follow.
Garda Commissioner Drew Harris pleaded that there was no way to have anticipated the scale of what happened. If this is so, then the security arm of the State needs to reexamine its information channels and its monitoring of social media to learn lessons for the future.
Harris also needs to consider the policing response once the rioting did start on Thursday. There were very obvious shortcomings which left many gardaí – as well as ordinary Dubliners, particularly those who have moved here from other countries – dangerously exposed. Examination of adequate policing levels, available resources and the best way of deploying them will be important. But more gardaí on the streets, on a permanent basis, are just the start of what is needed. Policing needs to be smarter and more nimble, too.
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The events of Thursday have also put public safety at the very top of the Government’s agenda. Opposition parties, some of which have already declared no confidence in the Commissioner and the Minister for Justice Helen McEntee, will surely turn up the heat on the Coalition next week, demanding answers and the drawing up of better plans for the future.
The public safety issue was already becoming more prominent in political debate in the wake of recent attacks and a general feeling of unease for those visiting our city centres, particularly at night. Now it will be front and centre in the run in to the next general election.
Talk of providing more resources, or setting up taskforces, will not be enough. The public will want to see results.