Dublin City Council has launched a new mobile security unit to patrol parks across the capital as concerns grow over increasing anti-social behaviour in the city centre.
The initiative, introduced on a six-month trial basis, will see a team from security firm Bidvest Noonan travel between parks in an electric van, responding to incidents as they arise.
Council officials said the unit is intended to provide a visible deterrent while supporting existing parks staff. “Staff in the unit will wear identifiable security vests and body cameras, similar to those used by Irish Rail crews,” a spokesperson said.
They added that personnel had received additional preparation for the role. “All security staff have received specialised training and have established strong working relationships with our parks team.”
Under the scheme, the mobile crew will document incidents and compile regular reports. “The Mobile Security Crew will also log incidents as they arise and prepare regular reports documenting their activities,” the council confirmed.
The move follows internal findings highlighting a surge in problematic behaviour across several city parks. A report compiled last year identified 130 incidents—including drug use, arson and other offences—over a two-month period in locations such as Bridgefoot Street Park, Mountjoy Square and Diamond Park.
Officials hope the presence of the mobile unit will help deter such activity while assisting gardaí in responding more quickly. However, the security staff will not have powers of arrest.
Janet Horner welcomed the additional measures but warned against over-securitising public spaces. “It’s really important that there’s a welcoming feel to parks, and that means that people don’t feel that they’re being watched too carefully, or they’re there to be too aggressive with people,” she said.
She acknowledged the limits of enforcement across the city. “It’s impossible to police all of the city’s parks around the clock, but I do think an increase in security is necessary at this point,” she added, emphasising that “deterrence is much more important than reaction.”
Dublin’s Lord Mayor, Ray McAdam, said the pilot programme aims to reassure the public. “This is about visibility, reassurance, early intervention and making sure our safe spaces feel safe at all times,” he said.
He stressed that primary policing responsibilities remain unchanged. “Obviously the gardaí remain responsible for policing, but what we’re doing with this initiative is to add that visible trained presence on the ground that will work alongside our parks department teams and local gardaí to respond quickly and deter anti-social behaviour before it escalates.”
“The fact is, our parks are safe, they’re welcoming. This should be a basic standard for any and every city, and I want to make sure Dublin meets that standard every day and across every neighbourhood,” he added.
Details such as staffing levels and operating hours for the mobile unit have yet to be confirmed.
