Calls for more resources for Garda Station following Cherry Orchard unrest

The ongoing problem of anti-social and criminal behaviour in Cherry Orchard has reached the attention of local TDs who are calling for additional funding and resources be assigned to Ballyfermot Garda Station.

Over the past few weeks, there have been several reports of criminal behaviour taking place in area at night-time with some locals saying they have been intimidated and threatened by the culprits.

Local TDs Bríd Smith (PBP) and Aengus Ó Snodaigh (SF) tabled a matter for discussion in the Dáil last week but at the time of writing, the issue had not yet been debated.

In a statement, Deputy Smith says Cherry Orchard has “been a nightmare for the local ordinary decent people over the last few weeks.

“Repeatedly Gardai and the council have ignored the pleas of local people to act and sort out the incredibly violent disorder that has been an all too familiar pattern over the years in this area.

“The vast majority of decent people are the victims of the crimes of a few, and this has to stop.”

Smith says she is “stunned” by the “lack of concern” from the Gardaí and council on the matter and has held emergency meetings with local stakeholders on the problem.

She says that the groups wants Dublin City Council to engage with local politicians “to ensure improvements in the area and set up a taskforce” as well as temporarily halt the construction of houses in the area until “the issues of infrastructure and all resources are properly addressed.”

Ballyfermot Garda Station be upgraded also, she says, which will allow the Gardaí to respond to all calls they receive.

Smith also said that the local council should commit to fund projects in the area for the next three years in order to improve the community infrastructure.

“TDs call for the Ministers responsible to visit the area, including the Ministers for Housing and Justice, to meet the local people and to see first-hand what has been happening in Cherry Orchard,” she said.

“That the Local Area Plan will focus on education services and on the provision of apprenticeships for youth in Cherry Orchard.”

In January, it was reported that the local residents were calling on the Gardaí to “get control” of the increasing level of violence in the area.

Sinn Fein councillor Daithí Doolan said that cars were being robbed and then being used for joy-riding and before being burnt out.

“I visited residents tonight to stand with them and support them at this difficult time.

“I witnessed at first hand the terror local families have to endure on a nightly basis. The community feels isolated and abandoned.

“This can not be allowed to continue,” he said.

“I was assaulted by one of the people involved in the so called ‘joy riding’.

“This is unacceptable and only feeds in to a sense of lawlessness and abandonment for those who had to witness the attack.