Strong business was reported by pubs and late bars in the city centre and in the suburbs. Many patrons were comforted by the heavy garda presence on the streets and returned to the city centre this weekend.

The last two weeks before Christmas, which are often among the busiest weeks of the year for pubs, are looking up for bars all throughout Dublin, according to the LVA.

CEO of the LVA Donall O'Keeffe stated, “There was a significant increase in activity over the course of the weekend, which bodes well for the two weeks leading up to Christmas.”

“A large number of the capital's publicans saw the consistently high number of returning clients, which is really encouraging. Additionally, there is a notably positive prognosis for the upcoming several weeks,” stated Mr. O'Keeffe.

He said that without the heavy presence of the Irish Guard on Dublin's streets, especially in the city core, this would not have been feasible.

“This is a critical point for publicans who said their customers have indicated the high visibility policing provided reassurance to them and that there is now an enhanced sense of security across the city,” he stated.

Mr. O'Keeffe expressed his firm belief that, for the sake of both the local population and the tourism industry, preserving a high degree of Garda presence throughout Dublin will be crucial into 2024.

“Garda visibility has been an ongoing point of concern for pubs in Dublin long before the most recent riot and we are concerned as to what signal would be sent about the city if further trouble were to arise in the new year,” he stated.

“The riots marked a watershed moment in Dublin and there can be no going back to the level of policing that existed before November 23,” the chief executive officer of LVA stated.

“We strongly support Dublin City Council's #BelieveinDublin campaign, and we think for that resonate in the longer term, it will need to be supported by continued highly visible members of An Garda Síochána being seen and being accessible on our capital's streets throughout 2024,” said Mr. O'Keeffe.