COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

MEETING OF SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

Monday, September 14, 2020

Report of the South Dublin County Council Joint Policing Committee Meeting held 10am on Friday 3^rd July 2020 via Microsoft TEAMS

In attendance Cllr. Emma Murphy (Chair), Cllr. Ed O Brien, Cllr. Mick Duff, Cllr. Louise Dunne, Cllr Baby Pereppadan, Cllr Shane Moynihan, Cllr/Deirdre O’Donovan, Cllr Eoin O’ Broin, Cllr. Liona O’Toole, Cllr Yvonne Collins, Emer Meighan, Michael Noonan, Gemma Carton, Colm Ward, Chief Superintendent Peter Duff, Chief Superintendent Finbarr Murphy

Apologies: Noreen Byrne

Present: Superintendent Ian Lackey, Brian Hora

In the absence of the Chair, Cllr. E. Murphy at the start of the meeting, Cllr S. Moynihan chaired the meeting.

Cllr S Moynihan began the meeting by offering condolences to family of Detective Garda Colm Horkan and to An Garda Siochana. A moments silence was observed by the Committee.

1. Report of Meeting held on the 31^st January 2020

Minutes of the meeting held on 31^st January 2020 were circulated and noted. Proposed by Cllr. S, Moynihan and seconded by Cllr M. Duff.

2. Matters arising

None.

3. Correspondence

 Correspondences regarding resourcing Local Policing Fora received from the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform and the Policing Authority were circulated and noted.

4. Governance

B. Hora outlined in the governance report steps taken to invite members of the Oireachtas to join the South Dublin Joint Policing Committee. He advised there are 5 vacancies and the following Oireachtas members had formally expressed interest: Mark Ward TD; Emer Higgins TD; Paul Murphy TD & John Lahart TD.  It was also noted that former Cllr. Mary Seery Kearney was also interested in remaining on the committee and is expected to formally express interest.

The report was noted.

At this point Cllr. E. Murphy joined the meeting and thanked Cllr S. Moynihan for chairing the start of the meeting in her absence.

5. Garda Síochána Reports

Reports from An Garda Siochana were circulated to the members of the Committee in advance of the meeting.  Chief Superintendent Peter Duff gave statistical report for Tallaght and Rathfarnham. Chief Superintendent Finbarr Murphy gave statistical reports for Clondalkin, Lucan and Rathcoole.

Cllrs. D. O’Donovan, L. Dunne, M. Duff, L. O'Toole, S. Moynihan, E. O'Brien & and E. Meighan & M.Noonan made contributions on the Garda Reports in relation to:

• Praising the work of An Garda Siochana, and particularly Community Gardai, during COVID -19
• Concerns over public order issues in Dodder Valley Park, anti-social behaviour in Killinarden, drug issues in the Moyglass area and genereally about anti-social behaviour in the summer months
• Concerns over nitrous oxide use and querying if specific legislative powers are needed to deal with same
• Community Garda for Firhouse
• Concerns over house parties and breaches of public health guidelines
• Welcoming the proactive approach from An Garda Siochana to domestic incidents but noting concerns over domestic violence and impact on children and querying if domestic violence figures captured coercive control or financial control from child to parent
• Welcoming positive news in relation to detection of drugs offences and quering if increased detections was as a result of COVID 19 checkpoints
• Concerns over use of scramblers
• Requested an update on the LFP reply (noted under correspondence) before the next Joint Policing Committee meeting
• Noted to work of the Gardai in detecting drug related offences and suggestion that consideration be given to invite Minister for Drugs to meet the Committee.

In reply to the queries raised by the members of the Committee, Supt. I. Lackey. and Chief Supts. P. Duff and F. Murphy responded in relation to:

• nitrous oxide and importance of education and awareness of the dangers for personal use and that the issue of nitrous oxide is beign examined nationally
• domestic violence arrest policy and training for Gardai on how to respond
• child protection and confirmed TUSLA referral automatically made and dedicated Child Protection Unit is in place
• Community Gardai and focus on responding to anti-social behaviour and policing anti-social behaviour in parks
• Intelligence gathered during COVID -19 checkpoints in detecting drugs offences
• Domestic violence and increased awareness of coercive control especially in relation to older people

6. LPF Reports

The LPF report was circulated to the members of the Committee. B Hora updated the Committee on LFP vacancies to be filled and the process for seeking representation on the Ballyfermott LPF if agreed by the Committee and responded to members questions.

He also advised the Committee of a request from Noreen Byrne that the Agenda Planning Group consider having a presentation at a future Joint Policing Committee Meeting on research currently underway on Safety & Inclusivity in North Clondalkin.

The report was agreed.

7. Any Other Business

• Cllr. S. Moynihan asked if Clondalkin Drug and Alcohol Taskforce can nominate an alternate representative to the Committee
• Cllr. Y. Collins required Garda resources in Rathfarnham. Superintendent I. Lackey advised that 6 no. additional Gardai were assigned to Rathfarnham
• Cllr. O’Toole requested a map of the Garda districts
• Cllr O’ Donovan queried when the Tallaght LPF will be reconvened. C. Ward advised this will be taken up with the LFP Coordinator and a date fixed

Schedule of Meetings for 2020

Schedule of Meeting was circulated and noted.

C. Ward asked the Committee to consider the timing of future meetings and that views will be collated prior to the next meeting.

The meeting ended at 12 noon.