Major safety concerns raised after Dundalk man stabbed to death in Dublin
Qayyum Balogun (21) died after being assaulted near Grafton Street in Dublin City Centre.
Major safety concerns have been raised after Dundalk man Qayyum Balogun died after being assaulted in Dublin City Centre.
Mr Balogun, who was 21 years old was a long-term resident of Dundalk and was found in a serious condition on Clarendon Street, near Grafton Street in the capital before later passing away in hospital.
His death has raised serious safety concerns among local representatives in the town.
Local Sinn Féin TD Ruairí Ó Murchú described Mr Balogun’s death as “more than shocking”.
He said elected representatives are “constantly dealing with issues of antisocial behaviour and crime” and said there needs to be a “better way of dealing with this all round”.
Deputy Ó Murchú said there needs to be a “fit for purpose” justice system that is both “fair and swift”.
He said while Mr Balogun’s family have called for justice it would not replace the son they have lost.
The Sinn Féín TD said incidents in which people are bringing knives on nights out has to be tackled with the “utmost urgency”.
“If there is a significant amount [of people] that have decided it’s a thing to bring knives on a night out then that has to be stamped out in every way, shape or form and that comes from having conversations with schools as well as ensuring people know that there is maximum sanction in relation to it.”
“We have to get the message out there that this is utterly unacceptable,” he said.
In response to a question regarding the wider safety of the country, Deputy Ó Murchú said Gardaí are facing a “recruitment and retention problem”.
He said without adequate numbers, Gardaí cannot deliver necessary community policing as well as resourcing its specialist units.
However, Deputy Ó Murchú acknowledged that there cannot be Gardaí “on every corner” but said “ high visibility policing stops” an awful lot” of crime.
Local councillor Robert Nash also expressed his condolences to the family and friends of Mr Balogun.
Cllr Nash, who is the Cathaoirleach of the Dundalk Municipal District said there has been a “growing trend” in the number of people carrying knives.
The Fine Gael councillor praised the work of Gardaí and questioned why there has been a rise in the number of knives on the streets.
“Obviously we have a large cohort of criminal gangs in this country who continue to be a blight on our communities and are always willing to work outside the confines of the law.”
“However, I feel as parents and guardians we need to be cognisant in relation to the continued infiltration of young people into the criminal world and the portrayal and glorification of this lifestyle needs to be dispelled,” he said.
Cllr Nash said it is vital that young people are educated on the dangers of carrying weapons but said people also need to feel safe on the streets so they do not feel the need to carry a weapon.
“I believe community policing is key to this issue and that there needs to be a clear visible presence of our Gardai in all major towns and cities in the country.
“We need to actively combat knife crime through targeted street patrols, proactive stop and search operations and youth intervention programmes.
“We need a joined up collaborative approach to deal extensively with this issue,” he said.
Funded by the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme.