Anti-social behaviour is escalating, say residents
By Mary Dennehy
A MEETING was held this week after residents reported an escalation in anti-social behaviour, which included threats, damage and fireworks being thrown.
The St Martin’s Residents Association and Marlfield Neighbourhood Watch group contacted elected representatives earlier in the week concerning the escalation of ongoing anti-social behaviour in the Aylesbury and Marlfield areas.
Residents are reporting anti-social behaviour issues in Aylesbury
According to the correspondence circulated, residents in Marlfield and Aylesbury have for months been enduring “persistent threatening and damaging behaviour”.
However, on Sunday, this activity escalated when residents were faced with threats and damage around the Aylesbury shopping area, with fireworks also thrown.
A meeting was held on Monday evening, which was attended by community reps and gardai.
The Echo understands that residents are seeking extra Garda patrols in the area.
In a statement to The Echo, the St Martin’s Residents Association said: “We are experiencing recurring loitering groups of teens in the area who are engaged in damage and unacceptable activity such stone-throwing and unprovoked intimidation of younger kids.
“We are engaged with neighbouring residents associations, the gardai, our councillors and local business owners to proactively address the situation.”
The association added: “We ask all parents to stay close to their kids coming up to Halloween as kids can often get swept along with destructive activity they wouldn’t normally engage in and it can be damaging to themselves or others and also negatively impact their futures.”
According to the residents’ association there has also been reports of a number of recent muggings in the Old Bawn area.
The residents’ association is now calling on all neighbours to report suspicious activity to gardai and to come along to a meeting in St Martin’s school in Aylesbury on Monday, October 7, at 8.30pm.
When contacted by The Echo, Tallaght Superintendent Ian Lackey said that extra resources are being assigned in preparation for Halloween.
“There will be extra visibility and patrols in areas, and we will be trying to disrupt the stockpiling of bonfire material,” Supt Lackey said.
“We are conscious of resident’s concerns . . . and will have a policing plan for Halloween in operation.
“We would encourage any residents with additional concerns to get in touch.”
Tallaght Central councillor Charlie O’Connor has been contacted by residents, and has raised concerns directly with gardai at Tallaght.
“This anti-social behaviour is affecting the community and in the lead-up to Halloween, it is a worry,” Cllr O’Connor said.
Contact Tallaght Garda Station on 6666000.
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