Deprivation, crime, and migration fuelling 'community trauma' in Dublin's inner city, study finds
Organisers of the Dublin riots 'have largely been found not to be members of the community in which it took place', study found.
Long-term deprivation, crime and violence as well as migration have fuelled “community trauma” in Dublin’s north-east inner city, according to a new study.
The research, conducted by community drug project Chrysalis, said an-ever increasing number of “already traumatised” asylum seekers and international protection applicants were being housed in a community with “existing and historic levels of trauma”.
It said this was being done without the necessary social supports in place to integrate them, receive necessary psychological help and “live free from hostility”.
The study, conducted by Alan McKenna, also said the “gentrification” of the Docklands and the IFSC area had combined with a parallel housing crisis, which meant local people found it very difficult to continue living in the area and/or lived in overcrowded homes.
The research said community trauma was “particularly endemic” in the north-east inner city, with historic economic neglect, high levels of addiction and violence and the “exponential growth” of forcibly displaced people from abroad into the densely populated area.
The research spoke to 69 people working in a range of groups and professions in the area, from healthcare and addiction, to law enforcement, to social services and educational supports.
Respondents said the biggest factor (75%) contributing to trauma in the area was long-term socioeconomic deprivation.
This was followed by criminality and violence (55%).
The study said displacement and migration (20%) was the third biggest factor cited.
“In addition to the growth of migrant and displaced communities within the north-east inner city and the difficulties they face in accessing appropriate levels of care in a timely manner, there has also been a marked increase in anti-migrant sentiment expressed both locally and online, with a particular focus often put on the case of the north-east inner city so as to create a narrative wherein new arrivals to the community are positioned as direct competitors to the local population in relation to accessing housing, services and education,” the report said.
It said people working with migrant communities in the area had observed “a worsening” of their trauma since those espousing anti-migrant sentiment began to mobilise on the streets and organise demonstrations “with the intention of intimidating and pushing this perceived ‘out group’ from the community”.
In relation to the “infamous” Dublin riots in November 2023, the study said “the organisers of this riot, and smaller demonstrations in the months following it, have largely been found not to be members of the community in which it took place”.
Asked what coping mechanisms local people were using to deal with increasing levels of trauma in their community, the respondents said substance use was by far the main one, just short of 90%.
More than 80% of respondents said there needed to be a significant increase in trauma support services in the area.
The research urged more local awareness about trauma, through measures such as on-street information campaigns and online advertising and for teachers and school staff to be trained about trauma and early intervention.
