The US Embassy in Ireland has told Americans to “keep a low profile” while in the country amid an uptick in gang violence there.
Largely centred around the Irish capital Dublin, the European Union nation has been experiencing unrest with gangs of youths launching assaults on passers-by. One recent attack left a US tourist in a coma with life-changing injuries.
In the wake of that incident, the embassy has issued a security alert for all its citizens in Ireland, advising them to “be careful of their surroundings” while in the country.
“With a number of recent incidents reported in Irish media, the US Embassy in Dublin reminds US citizens to exercise good personal security practices while travelling,” the warning reads.
The advisory goes on to ask Americans in the country to “be cautious” of their surroundings, limit their earphone-use outdoors as well as their alcohol consumption, and avoid wearing expensive watches and jewellery while in public.
“Keep a low profile,” the warning concludes.
US gives Dublin a security warning for US citizens travelling to Ireland.
Meanwhile Minister McEntee is too busy with the Hate Speech Bill and Safe Zone Bill to worry about real people suffering actual crime. https://t.co/4QCDweuU0q
— Peadar Tóibín TD (@Toibin1) July 26, 2023
The US advice has been viewed as a major embarrassment for the Irish Government, with much of the island’s economy being reliant on tourism from America and other nations.
Irish politician and Aontú party leader Peader Toibín lashed out at the government over the advisory, accusing the minister for justice Helen McEntee of being “too busy” with the country’s forthcoming bill banning hate speech to deal with violent crime.
“Minister McEntee is too busy with the Hate Speech Bill and Safe Zone Bill to worry about real people suffering actual crime,” the MP wrote on Twitter.
Irish Prime Minister Leo Varadkar has said that the country is struggling to hit recruitment targets for its police force, viewed as a necessary step to improve law and order.
“It’s going to be hard to reach the 1,000 target but we are not parting from it and part of my meeting with the [national police] commissioner next week will be seeing what we can do to improve recruitment,” he told Irish media.
Varadkar has suggested that the country could raise its 35-year-old maximum recruitment age for police in an attempt to increase the numbers serving.
