DublinTown Advocacy Update – Meeting with Minister for Justice

Dear Member,

We are pleased to update you on our recent constructive meeting with Minister Jim O’Callaghan, Minister for Justice. I was joined by DublinTown Board Member John Bergin in representing the concerns and priorities you have shared with us.

During this important meeting, we were able to present a comprehensive agenda of member concerns directly to the Minister, demonstrating the collective voice of Dublin’s business community. The key areas we addressed included:

• Enhanced security measures: We discussed the urgent need for district-wide measures for prolific offenders, which would provide meaningful protection for our retail and hospitality businesses.

• Implementation of the 10 Big Moves: We emphasised the critical importance of delivering on the Taoiseach’s Dublin City Taskforce recommendations, particularly those focused on making our streets cleaner and safer.

• Increased Garda presence: We reinforced the necessity for continuous increases in visible Garda presence throughout the city centre, reflecting your consistent feedback on security concerns.

• Addressing accommodation issues: We highlighted how the over concentration of vulnerable population accommodation in the city centre is detrimental for those in need and the wider community.

• Youth justice: We discussed the challenges posed by juvenile offending and the need for proportionate but effective interventions.

• Community safety initiatives: We advocated for an enhanced community safety warden programme specifically for pedestrianised areas and strengthened bye-law enforcement.

We were encouraged by the Minister’s acknowledgment of these issues and his commitment to ongoing dialogue. The Minister outlined several initiatives already underway, including the development of the Retail Crime Strategy and proposed legislative measures to address judicial reviews and retail crime more effectively.

The Minister recognised the significant economic impact of retail crime and the unacceptable levels of abuse facing retail workers. This validation of your concerns reinforces the importance of our collective advocacy efforts.

Your voice makes the difference

This meeting was only possible because of your continued engagement with DublinTown and your willingness to share the real challenges facing your businesses. Your input enables us to present concrete, evidence-based concerns to decision-makers at the highest levels of government.

We will continue to monitor progress on these issues and maintain regular dialogue with the Department of Justice and other key stakeholders. Further updates will follow as developments occur.

Thank you for your continued support and engagement. Together, we are making sure DublinTown’s voice is heard where it matters most.

Best regards,
Richard Guiney
CEO, DublinTown