The Garda Commissioner has said An Garda Síochána will not tolerate thuggery such as occurred during sustained and significant violence at Citywest last month.
Justin Kelly will tell the Joint Committee on Justice, Home Affairs and Migration this afternoon that gardaí are determined to keep people and communities safe from those seeking to undermine "our peaceful and democratic society."
Thirty-seven people have so far been arrested as part of the investigation into the disturbances at Citywest three weeks ago.
Twenty-eight of them have been charged with criminal offences and are currently before the courts.
The commissioner has been invited to appear before the committee to discuss the recent attacks on gardaí at Citywest, as well as recruitment and retention, the divisional and operational policing model, community policing and the situation regarding road traffic policing.
Commissioner Kelly said he believes the Government target of 5,000 new Gardai in five years "is achievable."
He said there are 14,325 gardaí, 200 more than last year and that the resignation level of 1% is well below that of other police forces and the private sector.
Over 220 new trainees will enter the Garda College on Monday week, the largest class in ten years.
The commissioner also said that the high visibility policing campaign in Dublin has reduced thefts from people by 27%, robbery by 9%, assault causing harm by 17% and begging by 57%.
The plan, he said, is being expanded to other parts of Dublin and Cork city will be next.
The commissioner will also tell the committee that crime levels in rural communities are "generally low" but that does not mean they are immune, particularly from the fear of crime in people who may feel isolated and vulnerable.
He said, however, that Operation Thor has significantly reduced burglaries in areas targeted by gangs and residential burglary has fallen 75% since Operation Thor began ten years ago.
Thuggery will not be tolerated, Garda Commissioner to tell committee
