Youth gangs have been raging in Dublin “for years”, “without fear of consequences”

It is claimed that youth gangs have been terrorising Dublin's south inner city, where the recent shocking attack on tourists took place, for years without “fearing consequences”.

Extra.ie revealed on Monday how groups of tourists visiting the Guinness Storehouse were attacked by a gang of youths with stones and hammers.

Patrons were forced to barricade themselves inside Arthur's Pub on Thomas Street as the youths attempted to kick down the door and get to them.

Now, security sources have revealed that the suspects behind the attack have been a problem for residents in the area since 2022. Many have already benefited from a youth corrections officer who allows them to avoid prosecution.

The same young people are suspected of being responsible for much of the anti-social behaviour in the area, including shoplifting, intimidation of women and random, racially motivated incidents such as verbal abuse.

“This has been a big problem for the Gardaí in the area for a few years now. There are a few groups who just want to cause trouble,” security sources said. “The parents don't want to know about it. The children know they are not criminally responsible, but it's a small thing.”

“They are there to intimidate people and they are often near the Guinness Storehouse. The Gardaí can't do much other than return them to their parents and unfortunately in many cases the parents don't care.”

In a statement on Monday, the Gardaí said the incident was under investigation but no arrests had been made.

A Department of Tourism spokesman said: “Ireland is a safe place to visit and live by international standards and research by Fáilte Ireland shows that the vast majority of visitors feel safe in Dublin city.”

Aengus Ó Snodaigh, Sinn Féin MP for Dublin South Central, said the incident was a sign of the government's failure to ensure the safety of workers and the public. “The people in the south of the inner city simply do not feel safe and have not for a long time,” he said.

Despite having CCTV evidence and the weapon used by one of the attackers, Seán McKiernan, the owner of Arthur's Pub, said the gardaí had told him that there was essentially nothing that could be done due to the age of the attackers.