Car burnt out beside an ESB pole is a ‘potential risk to life’
By Maurice Garvey
A CAR set alight recently against an ESB pole in Clondalkin which left 8,000 homes without power, was the latest such incident of burnt out cars in the area.
Firefighters have seen a sharp increase in calls out to the Fonthill Train Station area over the last six weeks.
The car set on fire beside the ESB pole on the Clonburris lands
The Echo understands Dublin Fire Brigade have responded to approximately five incidents in as many weeks, leading to concerns at the scale of the brazen activity.
Joyriding cheaply bought bangers and burnt out cars have been a feature on the green Clonburris fields for a number of years.
While authorities have made efforts to tackle the situation, Cllr Derren Ó Brádaigh (SF) says the power outage on April 7, requires “greater collaboration” between the council, estate management companies and gardai.
“For anyone living in the area, this would not necessarily be a strange occurrence – however on this occasion the car was set alight against an ESB pole and more worryingly beside the main Dublin to Cork railway line – the potential risk to life was very real,” said the Palmerstown-Fonthill Cllr.
The ESB pole and car on fire
“This incident is further evidence of the escalating anti-social attacks being inflicted upon our communities and raises lots of questions and concerns surrounding adequate garda resourcing.
“The harsh reality is that many recent instances of anti-social behaviour are taking place during the day. I have raised this matter with South Dublin County Council and requested that the site lands be adequately secured.
“In addition to problematic illegal scramblers, acquiring cheap cars for ‘rallying’ has become an issue across the county – often being purchased online for as little as €100, driven on road and uninsured, sometimes used in illegal activity and frequently abandoned across housing estates and underground carparks.
“Greater collaboration between the council, estate management companies and gardai to tackle car abandonment in our communities is now required.”
A spokesperson for the council said: “Any incident reported is investigated and appropriate action taken.
“To date in 2021, there have been no reports received in relation to this location.”
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