Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration - Jim O'Callaghan *Read OP for Mod Note*

Ah jaysus, Yates as an 'expert speaker' on ethics and conflict of interest? The ex-FG Minister who boasts about using all his political contacts for his gossip columns?

The words pot and kettle spring to mind.

Can't wait for the body cams. Then NPR for bus lane incursions and red light breaking. Small things to start with maybe, but it's the broken window thing. Fix the small things and the bigger things will follow. Said in hope rather than certainty WRT this country anyway.

The biggest and most effective thing that will increase public confidence (if not reduce crime immediately) is Gardai on the streets. Even a patrol car parked at strategic spots to keep the Gardai weatherproofed (!) would be a huge start. I know it's got nothing to do with Justice but the decision by DCC to have the soup kitchens removed off the main streets like at the GPO is a very good move. The facilities will be available elsewhere. That was some blot on the landscape and attracted all sorts of dodgy characters, not only those who absolutely needed it. It's a start of the clean up of O'Connell Street with more to follow I sincerely hope.

Look, I know crime is nationwide. I'm commenting on Dublin as that's where I live, and it's probably where most crime is concentrated anyway given the size of the population relative to the country's population as a whole.

However, O'Callaghan is FF. But hey not being smart - I don't think FF is that bothered by Jackeen land much, but I wish him well, and there's no doubt about it, he really can't be any worse than the previous incumbent can he?.

Not disputing what happened, neither of us were there so neither of us can say with 100% certainty. But usually in a riot type situation, roads are blocked, to everyone. No one can decide, "I'm not a scrote, I can go through the blockade". You can't. Sounds like she tried and ended up being treated the same as the scum who would likely try the same craic to get through. Having being in a good few riot squad type situations, you're not allowed to let anyone through. No one. That's the direction. When you try and force through a line of riot police, you'll get battered back because that's what riot members do, batter back, don't let anyone through, and if necessary pull through the troublemaker to the waiting Gardai in the line behind for arrest.

Again, not saying that's what happened, but it don't matter who you are, you're not getting through a riot line. Doesn't matter if you are the nicest person in the world, road is closed, find an alternative route. Sounds like your friend didn't want to. But again, neither of us were there so neither of us truly know what happened. Do people get battered by riot police? Yes. That's actually the expected outcome if you go against riot police. The fact she still joined AGS afterwards means she probably knew she was in the wrong…

Maybe I'm different, but if a road is closed by a line of riot police, I'll find an alternative route.

I expect nothing from another MoJ who in with Bertie and Co tbh. Nothing short of building another prison and increasing the sentencing for assaults against emergency services personnel will change my mind. I'm sure he'll just continue bringing in though crime legislation.

childish nonsense,

you dont get to walk through a line of public order police just coz you say your not involved in what ever is going on

He stands head and shoulders above his peers. A colossus.

Seems to be more competent than his predecessor, using a bit of common sense