The TV series Kin should “deter” young people from getting involved in crime, a community activist has said. 

The RTÉ drama portrays a family involved in gangland crime and the “enduring unbreakable bonds of blood and family.” 

Thousands tune into the show but Cllr Mannix Flynn is concerned it is damaging Dublin’s reputation and has urged the City Council not to grant a filming licence for any future seasons. 

“I have spoken to Gardaí off the record who believe, as I do, this stuff on TV, makes a small minority of people think they can behave like this in our capital,” he told the Irish Sun. 

“Film companies need to obtain shooting permits to film in the capital. 

“Instead of simply giving permission, DCC need to pay attention to see if the capital city we are trying to build up is being dumbed down by these inaccurate portraits.”

Community activist Tony McDonald told Lunchtime Live the show could have the opposite impact on young people. 

“I just think it’s a very, very excellent show, an intense drama [and] portrays the real coalface of what Dublin can be at its worst and the effect that has on communities,” he said.  

“It should really act as a deterrent for young people.”

Mr McDonald has been involved in his community for 40 years and feels crime is as much of a problem as ever. 

“Nothing else has really changed,” he said. 

“We have a constant flow of drugs and violence to go with it.”

File photo shows members of An Garda Síochána at a crime scene in February 2021. Picture by: Leah Farrell / RollingNews.ie

Mr McDonald described Cllr Flynn’s comments as “tantamount to censorship” and said the show is simply reflecting the reality of crime in certain communities. 

“Bear in mind that nobody gets killed with a sponge,” he said. 

“There is violence in the world and there are drugs in the world.” 

Last year, Kin won five awards at the Irish Film and Television Awards and a third season has been commissioned by RTÉ.

Main image: Cast of Kin. Picture by: Alamy.com/ BRON Studios - Metr.