John Brady TD has said more Garda resources are required in Dublin after he witnessed, and intervened during, a bike theft in Dublin while he was out for a run during Dáil business today.
Brady, Sinn Féin spokesperson for Foreign Affairs and Defence, said while he did his best to stop the thief he saw taking the bike, he could not keep his grip of him as rode off on the stolen bike. The incident occurred in Dublin's south inner city this afternoon, Wednesday.
He said that having "encountered first-hand an example of criminality on our streets" it believed the incident underlined the need for more gardaí.
"I went out for a bit of a run between Dáil business this afternoon. I ran out along the Merrion Road towards St Vincent’s Hospital. When I got to the shopping centre at the junction, just as a I was passing there was an attempt in progress to steal some bikes," he explained.
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"A number of individuals, wearing hoods and scarves over their faces were in the process of attempting to rob a bike that was clearly locked by yanking it off the rack. I let a roar at one of them to stop, running towards him, he turned and ran towards me, reaching inside his jacket for what I believed to be a weapon of some description.
"He then turned and ran in another direction where he grabbed an unlocked bike and came at me on the bike. I sidestepped him and tried to grab him off the bike but was unable to keep a grip. He made off, and myself and two teenagers one of whom owned the bike gave chase, but were unable to catch him.
"It was reported to Gardaí, and it is being investigated. It is frightening to think that the threat of crime and violence is there even in broad daylight in a busy area in the middle of Dublin.
"I was extremely lucky this could have escalated into something much worse. But it does again raise the debate about the need for additional resources for the Gardaí to tackle crime on our streets."
