Calls for action after grass bank set on fire
By Mary Dennehy
COMMUNITY calls have been reissued to make safe the Whitestown stream area in Jobstown, which recently was reportedly doused in petrol and set alight.
Issues relating to this area have been raised as far back as 2016 when Sinn Féin councillor Cathal King asked the council to install preventative measures to stop vehicular access to the area.
Whitestown stream in Jobstown was set alight recently
However, despite the introduction of a number of preventative measures, cars continued to access the area.
Most recently in May of this year, residents expressed their frustration over the area being used as a hang-out and joyriding alley – when a sledgehammer was reportedly used to knock out public lighting in the vicinity of the stream.
Recently, part of the grass bank was, according to local reports, doused in petrol and set alight – not only destroying the area aesthically but posing a health and safety hazard and intimidating residents – many of whom won’t walk through the area.
One resident told The Echo: “People living close to the stream have a terrible life – if it’s not robbed cars being set on fire, it’s drinking on the river or drug-taking.
“People need an increase in police presence. There are certain times of the day when that area is lawless . . . and residents are living in fear of intimidation.”
The council is aware of this situation
When contacted by The Echo, a spokesperson for South Dublin County Council said: “The council is aware of this situation at the stream in Jobstown, which unfortunately is not an uncommon occurrence.
“The council has a good working relationship with An Garda Síochána and continues to liaise on an ongoing basis with the local community gardai in an effort to minimise the anti-social behaviour in this area.
“[This most recent issue] is being followed up.”
