People living in Dublin share their fears and experiences of crime against a person or property in the city.
An Irish Marketing Surveys (IMS) crime poll, shows that in the space of a twelve month period, one in five of the adult population has been the victim of crime. In Dublin that figure is as high as one in three.
The IMS poll says the problem of crime facing the country may be far worse than most people believe, and that the problem is reaching crisis proportion in Dublin city itself.
Fianna Fáil TD for Dublin Central Bertie Ahern knows of at least five vigilante groups operating in his own constituency. While he deplores their actions he is aware that they seem to have support within the community.
Perhaps the most frightening statistic in this survey is that over 46% of Dubliners say that they would be afraid to walk out at night alone within one mile of where they live.
One Dubliner is afraid to walk on his streets at night due to the dangers posed by teenagers driving stolen cars. Another is afraid of being attacked.
I'd be afraid of what might happen to me, being attacked on the roads.
A woman never takes the risk of walking home at night and instead pays £30 for a taxi. Another woman is afraid of gangs and no longer carries a handbag,
Because of people just coming behind and grabbing the handbag.
Charley’s Cycle and Radio Service in Ballybough in Dublin has been selling bikes for two generations. A member of staff recounts his own experience of crime. His house has been burgled, money stolen, his father’s car smashed and there have been attempts made to break into the shop.
An Garda Síochána accept say crime is on the increase in the Dublin city but they deny that the figures are comparable to those in major cities in the United States or Britain.
An RTÉ News report broadcast on 12 April 1983. The reporter is Charlie Bird.
