Attacks in Dublin double
The number of unprovoked attacks on the streets of Dublin more than doubled last year.
The incidence of random attacks in the capital rose from 428 in 1999 to 897 in the first nine months of 2000.
In addition, the number of rapes in the city up to September of 2000 almost equalled the total figure for the whole of the previous year.
Fine Gael's Frances Fitzgerald says the situation is "now at crisis point", adding that such attacks are compounded by growing racism and chronic transport problems.
The Dublin South East TD says that promises by the Minister for Justice to take action are clearly not sufficient, and that further urgent measures are necessary if the situation is to be controlled.
