“They have made enormous sacrifices and we need to design our public spaces to allow people to enjoy.”
Fianna Fáil Senator Malcolm Byrne has said that the government needs to “give young people a break” amid ongoing discussion over a large gathering which occurred in Dublin’s City Centre on Saturday.
Speaking on Virgin Media’s Tonight Show on Monday, Byrne said that the Government need to cut young people “some slack”, adding that it has been a “very tough year” for young people.
“We knew we were going to see people coming out onto the streets. I personally take the view that especially for young people, we’ve got to cut them some slack,” he said.
“It has been a very tough year for young people. They’ve had 15 months effectively locked away, I’m fortunate I live in a great town in Gorey – I’m close to the coast, I’ve areas to go in the country.
“If you’re caught in the middle of the city and you’ve limited public space, that represents a challenge.”
We need to give young people a break. They have made enormous sacrifices and we need to design our public spaces to allow people to enjoy. Local authorities need to ensure our beaches, parks and streets are ready. (That doesn’t excuse littering) pic.twitter.com/LiKHTiy8Nz
— Malcolm Byrne 🇮🇪 🇪🇺 🇺🇦 (@malcolmbyrne) May 31, 2021
The Senator added that he was “surprised” that some local councils weren’t prepared for the “expected” crowds.
“I am surprised that some of the local authorities around the country weren’t as ready for what everyone is going to expect,” he continued.
“We need to give young people a break. They have made enormous sacrifices and we need to design our public spaces to allow people to enjoy,” he said earlier in the day.
Byrne said that while it “doesn’t excuse littering”, local authorities do “need to ensure our beaches, parks and streets are ready”.
A policing operation was put in place by Gardaí following reports of a large number of people congregating at South William Street and adjoining streets in the Dublin 2 area on the evening of Saturday, 29 May.
The operation involved Gardaí from the Public Order Unit and the Dog Unit and the crowd was subsequently dispersed. Four people were arrested for public order offences.
People congregating in Temple Bar and St Stephen’s Green were also dispersed by Gardaí. No arrests were made.
Chief Medical Officer (CMO) Dr Tony Holohan said he was “absolutely shocked” after what he described as a “major open air party” occurred in Dublin City Centre on Saturday evening.
Dr Holohan said he saw “enormous crowds” while driving past the centre to collect someone from work at approximately 8.15 pm.
The CMO added that the scenes are “what we do not need when we have made so much progress”.
Taking to Twitter on Saturday night the CMO wrote: “Drove into Dublin City Centre to collect someone from work at 8.15 PM. Absolutely shocked at scenes in South Great George’s St, Exchequer St, South William St area.
“Enormous crowds- like a major open air party. This is what we do not need when we have made so much progress.”
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