COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

MEETING OF SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

Monday, October 12, 2020

 

REPORT FROM JOINT POLICING COMMITTEE

Draft Report from South Dublin County Joint Policing Committee meeting held at 10am on Friday 18^th September 2020 via MS TEAMS.

In Attendance: (Committee Members)

Cllr Emma Murphy (Chair); Cllr Yvonne Collins; Cllr Mick Duff; Cllr Shane Moynihan; Cllr Shirley O’Hara; Cllr. Deirdre O’Donovan; Cllr Eoin O Broin; Cllr. Liona O’Toole; Cllr William Priestley; Cllr Baby Pereppadam Cllr Louise Dunne Superintendent Paul Dolan; Inspector Daniel O’Donovan; Colm Ward, SDCC; Ann Corrigan, PPN;; Michael Noonan, PPN;Emer Higgins T.D., Paul Murphy T.D., John Lehart T.D.

Apologies:

Cllr Lynn McCrave & Cllr Laura Donaghy ; Chief Superintendent Peter Duff, Chief Superintendent Finbarr Murphy, Inspector Ian Lackey; Emer Meighan, PPN; Gemma Carton, Garda Diversion; Mark Ward T.D. and Sean Crowe T.D.

Also present:

Noreen Byrne, North Clondalkin LPF; Brian Hora, SDCC

1. Minutes of Previous Meeting

The minutes of the previous meeting of the Committee held on 3^rd July 2020 were noted and agreed by the Committee.

2. Matters arising

None.

3. Correspondence

Correspondence from the Policing Authority regarding engagement with Joint Policing Committees on priorities for policing was circulated and noted.

4. Governance

A report and recommendation to fill the five Oireachtas Members vacancies was circulated. It was noted five TDs had expressed interest in being on the South Dublin JPC and it was agreed by the Committee the five vacancies shall be filled by: Mark Ward TD, Emer Higgins TD, Paul Murphy TD, John Lahart TD & Sean Crowe TD.

5. Garda Síochána Reports

Reports from An Garda Siochana were circulated to the members of the Committee in advance of the meeting and Supt. P. Dolan presented the reports for Clondalkin, Lucan and Rathcoole while Insp. D. O’Donovan gave reports for Tallaght and Rathfarnham.

Cllrs. Moynihan, O’Toole, O’Broin & Duff and Deputy Higgins made contributions on the Garda Reports (Clondalkin, Lucan and Rathcoole) in relation to:

• supply of fireworks generally and whether supply is linked to lack of 12^th July activities in Northern Ireland, can extra patrols around known hotspots be put in place, queries on legislation, and whether fireworks are linked to individuals associated with the drugs trade
• drug dealing and activity in the vicinity of schools, and in certain areas (Moyglass area mentioned)
• use of scramblers, in particular at sports pitches
• targeting anti-social behaviour and garda resources
• garda resources, including at Rathcoole and vehicles available there, the operation of the drugs unit & bike patrols in Clondalkin; could a pilot where civilians man Rathcoole Garda station during set hours be considered;
• speeding;
• reported public order offences. 

Supt. Dolan replied with to the members question as follows:

• no intelligence to link supply of fireworks with 12^th July events not taking place
• information on hotspots is being monitored for targeted patrols
• progress being made in tackling drug issues near schools in Lucan area
• noted the challenges with scramblers especially for off-road use but advised that assistance could be given to clubs experiencing difficulties where reported
• outlined the vehicles available at each of Lucan, Ronanstown & Clondalkin stations
• Civilians man stations as many services require a garda presence.

Cllrs. O’Donovan, Collins, Dunne, O’Toole & O’Brien and Deputies Murphy & Lahart made contributions on the Garda Reports (Tallaght and Rathfranham) in relation to:

• Break-ins in Rathfarnham area and theft from sheds, cars etc.
• neighbourhood watch schemes not able to meet
• Halloween & fireworks: including sale of fireworks in Knocklyon area, what arrangements are in place for Halloween -dealing with bonfires and crowds gathering, fireworks being aimed at houses in particular estates, online videos circulating of fireworks being set off, sale and use of fireworks and need for more community gardai in targeted areas, and how are fireworks categorised in garda reports
• COVID compliance in licenced premises in the area
• anti-social behaviour: issues on public transport especially buses, use of scramblers in parks and sports pitches and need for legislation
• Need for additional community policing in parks at evening time
• Noted improvements in LUAS security
• Clarification sought on what Covid duties entail.

 Inspector O’Donovan replied as follows:

• break-ins in the Rathfarnham area will be followed up with local sergeants and focused on;
• a policing plan for Halloween is being put in place in conjunction with the Council;
• anti-social behaviour is a district wide issue with appropriate responses;
• targeting of sale and supply of fireworks and several seizures made in the last month;
• community gardai maintain a visible presence;
• high level of COVID 19 compliance by licenced premises with a small number of breaches reported and files sent to the DPP;
• files sent to the DPP in respect of incidents on public transports with increased patrols planned on public transport over Halloween period.

Superintendent P. Dolan also advised that a report on fireworks will be brought to the next Committee meeting and clarified how Covid related duties for Garda are combined with regular duties.

6. CCTV Audit

A report was circulated recommending that the Committee seek authorisation under Section 38 of the Garda Síochána Act, 2005 to regularise CCTV cameras where such approval had not previously been sought in specific historic cases. C. Ward advised that this followed from a comprehensive audit by the Data Protection Office on all Council CCTV cameras. The report was noted and approved.

7. LPF Reports

The LPF report circulated to the members of the Committee was noted.

1. Byrne requested that the Committee consider inviting Ms. Lorraine McMahon to present to the committee the findings of her research on Safety & Inclusivity in North Clondalkin and it was agreed that this would be considered.
2. Strategic Plan 2016-2022: Progress Report & Potential New Actions

A report circulated to inform the Committee of progress in implanting the Strategic Plan 2016-2022 was noted.

9. Drug Subcommittee

It was noted the drug subcommittee was due to meet on 28^th September.

It was agreed Cllr. S Moynihan will replace (former Cllr) M. Ward T.D. on the sub-committee. Vacancies for community representation on the drug subcommittee will be circulated and ratified at the next JPC meeting. C. Ward clarified nominees must be a member of the JPC.

10. Any Other Business

In response to a query from Cllr. S. Moynihan it was agreed that Clondalkin Drugs and Alcohol Task Force could nominate a member to the Committee and that one allowed alternate could also be named to attend where necessary.

Schedule of Meetings for 2020:

The next meeting of the Committee is scheduled for Friday 20^th November 2020.