Only 20 more signatures until we reach 1,000!
When I started this petition, I never imagined we’d get this far. Seeing how many of us share the same concerns means more than I can say. I couldn’t be prouder of the support, unity, and care this community has shown. Thank you, truly. 💛
Our town is growing at a vertiginous rate, from almost 12,000 residents in 2022 to an expected 20,000 in the coming years. This growth is real, and it’s something we can’t stop. And we shouldn’t want to stop it either. Everyone deserves a home, and I want every new resident to feel just as welcomed as my own family did when we arrived seven years ago.
But rapid growth without the proper infrastructure also creates gaps, and criminal behaviour thrives in gaps. Long response times, distant patrols, and the absence of a local Garda presence make Donabate vulnerable. A Garda station here would close those gaps and provide the strongest, most effective deterrent to crime.
When Gardaí are based within a community, response times improve, visibility increases, and potential offenders know the area is watched and protected. It’s one of the simplest and most proven ways to prevent crime before it happens.
Seven years ago, Donabate was the kind of place where you could leave your front door open without a second thought. I wish that reality were still true, but we can all feel it slipping away. While we can’t cling to the past, we can influence the future. And together, we already are.
Yesterday I contacted the Crime Division of the Central Statistics Office to request a detailed report of all recorded crimes in Donabate over the past five years, broken down by type and year. Before sending this petition to the relevant authorities, I want to ensure we’re backing our concerns with solid evidence.
The CSO responded quickly, but the data wasn’t as specific to Donabate/Portrane as I hoped. I’ve asked them again for a more granular breakdown and expect a follow-up early next week.
Here is what they initially shared:
- CSO Recorded Crime tables: https://data.cso.ie/product/RC
- Table CJA07 (filter by Garda Station, offence type, year): https://data.cso.ie/table/CJA07
- Table CJQ06 (filter by Garda Division, offence type, quarter): https://data.cso.ie/table/CJQ06
In the meantime, could I ask you one more favour?
Please keep sharing the petition — especially in local WhatsApp groups and on Facebook. Every signature strengthens our voice, and we are so close to reaching a powerful milestone.
Thank you again for everything!
Our community is stronger because of people like you. 💛