Senator angered by reports of attacks on gardaí

A DUBLIN senator has said no part of the State should be declared a

“no-go

? area following reports of sustained attacks on gardai in Cherry Orchard.

In a statement, Fianna Fáil Dublin spokesperson, Darragh O’Brien, said he was angered by reports that parts of Dublin had become

“no-go

? areas for members of the gardaí.

The Senator was reacting to reports that gardaí were set upon by number of youths in the Cherry Orchard area of the city in recent weeks.

It was reported that one Garda received a serious injury to his eye while three gardaí were injured in Cherry Orchard in two separate incidents over the course of two nights.

“The latest media reports that parts of Dublin have now become a

“no-go

? area for members of An Garda Síochána is an absolute outrage and yet another black mark on this Government’s handling of crime in the city,

? Senator O’Brien said.

“It has been reported that over two nights three gardaí were injured when policing the Cherry Orchard area.

“Some commentators have gone so far as to say that gardaí are actually being targeted by a small section of the population there and that the suburb is now a

“no-go

? area for the gardaí. This is an intolerable situation.

?

The senator added:

“No part of our State, no section of our population and no age group should be entitled to terrorise a community like that which is being reported in Cherry Orchard.

“These people must not be allowed to create a

‘no-go’ area for lawlessness and criminality. It’s time this Government started to wake up to the serious crime challenges that are currently facing our State.

He added:

“It is clear that the Government need to be more proactive in fighting crime in Dublin and across the country.

?

A Garda spokesperson played down the particular incidents in Cherry Orchard, stating that attacks on members of the force happen all the time.

“It’s part and parcel of the job, unfortunately,

? he said.

“With gardaí out there every night, some get injured in the course of their duties.

?