At 4:53am, one of the vulnerable homeless people we have been assisting contacted me in fear. She stated that a man had returned to her tent, was outside, was threatening to burn it, and was demanding a phone and money.
The messages are attached.
I later located the man camped in a camouflaged hedge on the grounds of a school attended by young children. I understand him to be subject to sex offender registration requirements. I reported the situation to Gardaí and provided the relevant information.
What followed raises extremely serious questions.
I was not given a PULSE number. I was not given a reference number. I was not given clear confirmation of what immediate action would be taken.
A full evidential file is now being prepared. It will include the timeline, screenshots, locations, call history, witness information, Garda interactions, and all supporting material.
That file will be sent to Fiosrú / the Office of the Police Ombudsman, the Minister for Justice, the Taoiseach, and every member of the 34th Dáil. A safeguarding-appropriate version will also be provided to the school community and relevant parents.
An inquiry will be demanded.
Legal advice will also be taken in relation to potential civil proceedings and formal criminal complaints concerning alleged extreme negligence, failure of duty of care, failure to act on urgent safeguarding information, and any breach of professional or statutory obligations by relevant parties.
This will be documented, evidenced, and above reproach.
ALT Phone screenshot of a 04:53 text message from a distressed person saying a man has returned outside her tent, is threatening to burn it unless given a phone and money, and that she cannot call because she does not want him to know she has a phone.
ALT Phone screenshot continuing the exchange. The person says she cannot call anyone because he will hear and that only Graham knows where her tent is. Graham replies, “I am on my way.” The person then says she is frightened, packing quickly, and asks for the guards to be called.