Arrests welcome, but plan needed to help Cherry Orchard residents, cllr says

Responding to reports yesterday that several men were arrested in the Cherry Orchard area, local councillor Daithí Doolan says a longer-term plan needs to be put in place to quash criminal activity in the area.

Gardaí arrested five men during various searches of premises on Monday, August 22.

“Cherry Orchard can no longer be held to ransom by organised criminal gangs,” Doolan says.

“I wholeheartedly support the targeting of their activity.

“We must put the criminals out of business.

“But short bursts of Garda activity are not the long-term solution. Once the Gardaí are gone criminal activity resumes as normal.

“This is unacceptable.”

Doolan says that the Government must be more active aiding communities like Cherry Orchard as they “are crying out for help.”

“Residents deserve a policing service that is visible, reliable, accountable and accessible. Unfortunately that is not always the case.

“The solution is the consistent implementation of a long-term policing plan for Cherry Orchard.

“This plan must have the support of this community and the resources to back it up long into the future.”