THE Minister for Justice, Frances Fitzgerald, is to meet with residents of Cherry Orchard following the shooting of a young boy in the area recently.
Deputy Michael Conaghan (Lab) raised his concerns at the rise in gun violence with the Minister following the wounding of Sean Scully (6) in a shooting incident.
Speaking in the Dáil, Deputy Conaghan said it was ironic that any child should be in danger on his own doorstep.
“The very place where he should feel safest was attacked,
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“A sanctuary was breached. Little Sean is still in hospital and, hopefully, he will soon be back home safe and well.
“Of course, we wish to send him our best wishes. Gunfire in the proximity of children is quite a frequent occurrence in the city. Recently when children were being dropped off at a crèche in Donaghmede gunfire erupted. This is a reckless practice that must be halted.
“I wish to refer to a linked matter, namely, to a fear people have that their area can be somehow defined by the occurrence of brutalising incidents such as that which happened in Cherry Orchard.
“In that regard, I would like to say a few words about Cherry Orchard. Some 30 years ago, when people first moved into this new estate, there were only houses.
“The streets, footpaths and street lighting were unfinished. It did not have shops, a school, a church, facilities, a bus service or playgrounds. Some 30 years later, through the efforts of residents, the area has been transformed and, with the assistance of Dublin City Council, there are splendid parks and very good playgrounds.
“It has one of the most pioneering schools in the country, St Ultan’s, a youth orchestra which regularly performs at the National Concert Hall and one of the country’s leading amateur soccer clubs, which is regularly visited by scouts from English league clubs, is based there.
“All of this is the outcome of dedication, commitment and hard work by the people engaged in community building, the people of Cherry Orchard and the parish priest, Father Gerry O’Connor, over a 30 year period.
“Cherry Orchard needs the Minister’s help. It needs more gardaà and more resources to counter some of the activities which have been referred to.
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Deputy Conaghan added:
“I would like the Minister to consider visit Cherry Orchard to meet the people, which they would like, and to talk directly to them and discuss how serious outstanding issues can be tackled by them with her support.
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