Ballymun gun incident sparks crisis warning from local reps

A firearm incident involving a child in Ballymun last week has sparked a fierce political backlash, with local representatives warning that escalating gang violence and years of underinvestment have left the community dangerously exposed.

On Tuesday, (28th) afternoon, a child, believed to be about 11 years old, reportedly fired a gun after finding it discarded in a bush during a Garda chase.

It was the second time in just three days that a loaded firearm had been discovered in the area, following the recovery of a handgun hidden near a playground the previous Sunday.

The sequence of events has prompted stark warnings from public representatives, who say the incidents underline a deepening crisis in Ballymun.

Local Gardaí say they responded to reports of a firearm at around 3pm last Tuesday, pursuing two males on foot, one on an e-scooter. Both were arrested, one in his 20s and a juvenile in his teens.

A short time later, a firearm was discharged in the area. No injuries were reported.

Speaking last Tuesday, Dublin North West TD Paul McAuliffe (pictured above) said the incident was “another reminder of some of the long-standing issues which the Ballymun community has been facing for many years.”

“Today was another reminder of some of the long-standing issues which the Ballymun community has been facing for many years.

“The most recent report of a firearm being discharged by a child comes again as a result of the community being victimised by feuding gangs with reportedly two separate feuds taking place.

“This gangland crime has been terrorising the decent and extraordinary community of Ballymun; it has impacted public safety and the ability of people to go about their lives while feeling safe.

“There has always been concerns that in gangs carrying out criminal activity innocent people will be endangered. It is incredibly worrisome that in this case, two children were impacted.

The latest development is an example of how easily innocent people can get caught in the crosshairs of carelessness by gangs. My thoughts are with them and their families.”

Deputy McAuliffe said more Gardaí are needed in the area, despite recent additions.

“I commend the Gardaí in terms of their policing work done on the ground to date. Although, more Gardaí are required to be stationed in Ballymun. There were three added to Ballymun in the most recent announcement earlier this year, although, this needs to be significantly increased.”

He added that criminal activity should not define the area.

“It’s important to add that when there’s national coverage of stories like this, the positive work by community leaders across Ballymun is lost in the headline. The latest gang related activity is in no way a reflection of the tremendous people of Ballymun.”

Social Democrats TD Rory Hearne (pictured above) said the events of the past week were the result of long-term failures in policing and community safety.

“Yesterday’s incident in Ballymun happened as a result of safety and drug-related intimidation being left unchallenged in the community by successive governments spanning decades.

“There is an inadequate level of community policing in the area, which fails to prevent open drug dealing outside of schools, exposing children to the harms of the ongoing local feud.”

Deputy Hearne said Garda resources in the area lag far behind need.

“I’ve raised this matter a number of times in the Dáil, with Dublin City Council, in community meetings and with Gardaí, who are trying their best with the limited resources they have been allocated.

“All parties agree that safety initiatives in the area, from policing to youth diversion, are chronically underfunded.

“It is astonishing that the Dublin North Metropolitan region has a 35% lower number of Gardaí by population than the city’s average, despite the high level of gang-related crime in the area.

“High crime and low investment has resulted in the inevitable today, and this is not what Ballymun deserves.

“The region has 212 Gardaí per 100,000 people, compared to the entire Dublin Metropolitan region’s average of 286 per 100,000.”

He said families are increasingly fearful and feel overlooked.

“I’ve been directly contacted by families affected by the local gang feud, parents and children who are affected in different ways by the scourge of the drug trade and its ongoing intimidation. They feel they have been forgotten about.”

People Before Profit councillor Conor Reddy (pictured aboove) said the incidents have left the community “shocked and frightened” and warned of the consequences if the violence continues.

“People in Ballymun are shocked and frightened by what has happened. We are extremely lucky that nobody was injured or killed, but there is a growing sense of fear in the community as violence escalates and these feuds continue without resolution. Homes have been shot at, there have been arson attacks, extremely violent attacks have happened in broad daylight, and people are terrified as a result.

“You can’t help but feel that if this continues, somebody innocent could be seriously hurt or killed. That is the fear many people are carrying.”

He said the age profile of those involved in the violence highlights deeper systemic issues.

“One of the most tragic and striking things about this violence is the age of some of the people involved.

“We are talking about teenagers and young men barely into adulthood. That speaks to a deep failure by the State.”

Cllr Reddy said Ballymun has long suffered from deprivation and underinvestment despite repeated warnings.

“Ballymun has some of the highest levels of deprivation in the entire State, alongside generations of problems with drugs, addiction, trauma and underinvestment.

“There are brilliant people doing incredible work in the community: youth workers, volunteers, addiction services, schools, community organisations and residents.

“Much of that work is proven to have an impact, but it has never been given the scale of support needed.”

He said the response must go beyond policing.

“A board without serious funding is not enough. Ballymun does not need more reports or recommendations. It needs investment.

“People in Ballymun deserve safety. They deserve to walk through their community without fear. But you can’t police your way to safety.

“Real and lasting safety comes from investment in the services, supports and opportunities that break the cycles driving crime and violence in the first place.

“Ballymun deserves a lot better. This has to be a turning point.”

The incident has intensified pressure on Government to respond, with representatives warning that the events of the past week have exposed just how easily children can be placed in harm’s way amid ongoing gang activity.