Disco Cancellation Underlines Need for Garda Accountability
“Disco Cancellation underlines need for Gardai Accountability”
Statement by Councillor Dermot Lacey
Labour Councillor Pembroke Ward Dublin City Council
Wednesday 14th April 2004
“The last minute decision by the Gardai to deny approval for an Under 18′s Disco in the Red Box venue last night once again underlines the need for the Gardai to be accountable to the Public for their decisions” according to former Lord Mayor of Dublin Councillor Dermot Lacey.
“The facts that no alcohol was to be sold, that approximately 800 tickets had been pre sold, that there had been eleven similar functions held in that venue seems to have no influence on the Gardai who arbitrairily and without sufficient explanation simply refused permission”.
“In recent weeks there has been unfair criticism directed at young people in general when a small number of them engaged in aggressive behaviour on St. Patrick’s Day. Yet here we have a situation in which young people were looking forward to enjoying themselves in an Alcohol Free venue, in which Parents could be assurred they were in a safe environment and the Gardai without having to justify themselves cancel the event. How can these young people be expected to respect a decision and an agency that clearly does not respect them?”
“The fact that the Gardai can make decisions like this without being accountable to any form of legitimate questioning underlines clearly the need for real and urgent reform. Given the Governments activity to ensure the implementation of the Patten Report in Northern Ireland surely it is time they put their own house in order with the implementation of Patten here in the Republic”
Contact Dermot Lacey at 6784706 or 087-2646960
