Tipperary man John Lonergan is calling for consequences for young people engaging in vicious behaviour violently assaulting other people.
The former Governor of Mountjoy Prison says younger assailants are going into the Children’s Court with a smirk on their face and have a double smirk when they leave.
Mr Lonergan says there is a cadre of young people with no respect for anyone and that they are being groomed by older criminals.
The comments come following an assault on a tourist in Dublin last week.
Mr Lonergan says a distinction needs to be made between young people that are threatening, violent and intimidating and drug users that are visible in the city centre.
The latter he says rarely engage in acts of violence but may rob a person or goods.
48 of the estimated 88 new Garda to graduate from Templemore on Friday are to be assigned to the Dublin area.
Mr Lonergan welcomes increased visibility but says the real priority is to bring consequences for those engaging in acts of violent assault on any person – not just members of An Garda Siochana.
