The Garda Commissioner, Mr Pat Byrne, has warned of a "vigorous approach" to public order incidents under Operation Encounter.
The Commissioner, who was in Galway yesterday, said he was touring the regions as part of a strategy designed to support and reinforce the programme, which was initiated in late February to tackle rising street crime and alcohol-related offences.
The Commissioner also said he had "absolutely no difficulty with any new initiatives" that would improve Garda performance,including establishment of a new independent inspectorate, but these were matters for Government.
"Don't be surprised in the number of arrests we make," the Commissioner said as he emphasised the priority attached to Operation Encounter. In Galway's central Mill Street station alone, there were almost 3,000 arrests last year, he said. This represents a 50 per cent increase in arrests on the previous year.
The new PULSE system showed that Galway was the seventh busiest station in the State in terms of incidents recorded - on a par with Limerick - the Commissioner noted.
He said public order was not just a law enforcement problem, but was also the responsibility of individuals, parents, the community, those involved in education, and the licensed trade.
"However, I want to send out this signal that we in the Garda Síochána are going to play our part in this area, bearing in mind that we are just one aspect of the whole criminal justice system," he said.
Garda visibility would be increased, he said, and particular areas would be targeted. Gardaí would also ensure the licensed trade was complying with regulations, he warned. "I don't think that it is acceptable that the community and its police force have to deal with the issues that emanate from the licensed trade.
"While the vast majority are supportive of the efforts of the Garda Síochána and law enforcement in general, it is quite obvious that some people are irresponsible as to what happens in their premises," he said. "We are going to rigorously examine and visit these premises, and establish what is happening within them," he said.
The Commissioner said the sensitive "areas" and "times" when trouble erupted were well known - in the early hours of the morning after the nightclubs closed and young people congregated around fast food outlets, when there was also a problem with transport home. The attitude to authority was also a problem, he said.
Asked to respond to the Labour Party proposal for a new Garda Authority and a Garda Ombudsman, the Commissioner said he had no problem with any proposals that improved Garda performance and supported the concept of an independent inspectorate, but these were matters for Government.
