A judge says he's worried about a "total breakdown" in social order in Tallaght in Dublin.

Judge Anthony Halpin has suggested the Civil Defence should be drafted in to help Gardaí keep the peace.

His comments, published in the Irish Times, follow a recent spate of violent attacks in Tallaght.

Last weekend 41-year-old Michael Devoy's body was found in a remote local area.

The Ballymun man had been wearing a bullet proof vest and had just been released from prison.

On January 1, Dale Creighton was attacked at a foot bridge at St Dominics Road. A number of people have appeared before the courts in connection with his death.

Now, Judge Anthony Halpin, who sits at Tallaght district court, said that he is seriously concerned about a total breakdown of social order in the area, adding that the assistance of the civil defence might be needed.

A garda spokesman said that garda management is satisfied that a full and comprehensive policing service is being delivered to the communities of Tallaght .

However, Sean Crowe, Sinn Féin TD for Dublin South West, said a shortage of Gardaí and other resources for public services are to blame for the area's social problems.

"I think we know for years there's been a problem with a shortage of Gardaí," he said. "If you compare the likes of the size [and] population of Tallaght with similar towns the size of Limerick - social services are under pressure, Tallaght hospital is in and out of the news, we know there's a housing crisis there."

"There's a number of factors there, and they're leading to the conclusion of social order breaking down."