Clear pathway to a brighter future for Drogheda with publication of Geiran Report

A much-anticipated report on community safety and wellbeing in Drogheda has delivered a clear pathway for a much brighter future and will create better opportunities for our young people, a Fine Gael TD has said.

Louth Deputy Fergus O’Dowd was speaking following this morning’s publication of ‘Community Safety & Wellbeing: Report of a Scoping Review for the Department of Justice,’ by his colleague, Minister for Justice Helen McEntee.

Deputy O’Dowd said, “The report, prepared by former Director of the Probation Services Vivian Geiran, sets out over 70 key recommendations whilst also highlighting many of the underlying social issues that led to appalling and barbaric criminality in our town.

“The plan has clearly identified a number of key recommendations for Drogheda including;

• Progress, as a priority, the funding and development by LMETB of the sports and community changing/meeting block at DIFE (cost estimated at approximately €1 million).
• The Red Door project should receive urgent additional funding. Specifically, €150,000.
• Seeking timeline and support for the delivery of the Moneymore Community Centre and for a similar facility on the Southside close to Rathmullen.
• St. Brigid’s and St. Patrick’s NS, St. Joseph’s CBS, and Presentation NS to be increased from Band 2 to 1 DEIS.
• Continue – and increase, where appropriate – resourcing to the two Garda Youth Diversion Projects (CABLE and BOYNE GYDPs), to facilitate their work.
• Address the impact of the county boundary issues in Drogheda Louth and Meath.
• To identify the constraints of Proceeds of Crime legislation to redirect funds to local services.

“The recommendations will now go forward to form part of an implementation action plan which is to be finalised by the end of April.

“I have spent a number of years campaigning for a root and branch review of Drogheda’s societal issues in order to tackle the drug and addiction problems we have faced in the town.

“On the 25^th of January 2020, following intensive engagement with the then Taoiseach Leo Varadkar, he confirmed to me a North Inner City Taskforce Model would be extended to Drogheda.

“I then met with Department of Justice officials last June to discuss the initial steps on what type of focused action plan was required and shortly after Minister McEntee appointed Vivian Geiran to engage with the relevant services, organisations, businesses and stakeholders in the community.

“This is a very timely and welcome acknowledgment from Government that the issues facing Drogheda warrant very bespoke and comprehensive wrap around supports and this report shines a light on what is needed going forward.

“I would like to publicly thank Mr Vivian Geiran for delivering such a concise final report and I would like to thank all of the local community groups, stakeholders, public reps and general public who came together and said Drogheda Says No to the Criminality,” Deputy O’Dowd concluded.