Burnt-out car on pitch an ‘attack on community’
By Aideen O'Flaherty
A CAR that was left burnt out at a goal post, on pitches that are used by Liffey Gaels GAA Club, on Sunday (July 21) has been described by a local councillor as “an attack on the community”, reports Aideen O’Flaherty.
While Dublin City Council removed the burnt-out car shortly after they were notified, there are still scorch marks and damage to the pitch visible days later.
The burn marks on the pitch from the car fire at Liffey Gaels GAA Club
An emergency motion was unanimously passed at Wednesday’s South Central Area Committee Meeting, where Sinn Féin councillor for Ballyfermot-Drimnagh, Daithí Doolan, who tabled the motion, called on the committee to condemn the vandalism and for the council to commit to “working with the club to repair the damage as soon as possible”.
Cllr Doolan told The Echo: “A car got through the gate of the club, did a few U-turns, then set the car on fire right on front of the goal to maximise the damage, and as a thuggish, bully-boy statement.
“The actions of these people don’t reflect on Ballyfermot.”
Cllr Doolan added: “The club’s summer camp starts next week. This is an attack on the community and young people who are looking forward to the summer camp, but we won’t be held to ransom by them.
“We can’t let it stop the work of the club, which provides health, wellbeing and positive activities.”
The section of the pitch will need to be dug up and reseeded, according to Cllr Doolan, and it is hoped that the damage won’t hamper the club’s activities during the summer camp next week.
