Teenage gangs have been terrorising Dublin’s south inner city, the location of the latest shocking attack on tourists, for years with ‘no fear of consequences’, it has been claimed.
Extra.ie revealed on Monday how groups of tourists who had visited the Guinness Storehouse were attacked with rocks and hammers by a gang of teenagers.
The visitors were forced to barricade themselves inside Arthur’s Pub on Thomas Street as the teens attempted to kick down the door and get to them.
Now security sources have revealed the suspects behind the attack have been a problem for locals in the area since 2022. Many have already received the benefit of a juvenile diversion officer, which allows them to avoid prosecution.
The same teens are suspected of being behind much of the anti-social behaviour in the area, including shoplifting, intimidation of women as well as random, racially motivated incidents, such as name calling.
‘It’s been a big problem for gardaí in the area for a couple of years now. There are a few groups who are just out there to cause trouble,’ security sources said. ‘The parents don’t want to know. The kids know they’re under the age of criminal responsibility but it’s petty things.
‘They’re out there to intimidate people and they’re often around the Guinness Storehouse. There’s not much gardaí can do other than bring them back to their parents and, unfortunately, in a lot of situations the parents don’t care.’
In a statement on Monday, gardaí said they are investigating the incident but no arrests have been made.
A Department of Tourism spokesman said: ‘Ireland is, by international standards, a safe place to visit and to live in and Fáilte Ireland research shows the vast majority of visitors do feel safe when visiting Dublin City.’
Sinn Féin TD for Dublin South Central, Aengus Ó Snodaigh, said the incident is a sign the Government is failing to keep workers and communities safe. ‘Communities in the south inner city simply do not feel safe, and have not felt safe for a long time,’ he said.
Despite having CCTV evidence as well as the weapon used by one of the assailants, the owner of Arthur’s Pub, Seán McKiernan said gardaí told him there was basically nothing that could be done due to the age of the perpetrators.
