Elderly residents plea to fix broken security gate

Elderly residents plea to fix broken security gate

By Maurice Garvey

RESIDENTS in an elderly housing scheme have pleaded with Dublin City Council to fix a broken security gate amid reports of attempted break-ins and intimidation.

The gated Claddagh Court complex in Ballyfermot is home to 49 units, but security breaches have been a common complaint for years.

Claddagh Court

Claddagh Court complex have experienced break-ins

At the recent joint policing meeting in Ballyfermot, a woman resident from Claddagh Court said a man appeared to be scoping out apartments after gaining access to the complex.

“A man attempted to get into my apartment at 10am,” she said.

“I pulled up the blinds, he was outside and said there was a taxi outside. I didn’t order a taxi.

“The chap then came back and was knocking on the door of a 90-year-old woman. They are getting in the gate. On Sunday night 12 kids got in. I rang gardai multiple times but got no reply.”

The front gate was open to the public when The Echo visited the complex on Tuesday evening (February 5).

Claddagh Court resident Tommy Moriarty, has lived in the complex since it opened in 2008.

“They broke into the boiler house and caused damage which affected the hot water. I saw a chap opening it on January 27 and thought ‘this aint right’ so I rang the DCC emergency 24-hour number but got no reply or response.

“Then I rang 999 and told them this was a serious safety risk with four apartments located above the boiler room.

“There are people living here, like me, who downsized their homes to move in, so that families with kids could have a house to live in. Two weeks ago, two cars were broken into. We have no lighting in the courtyard.”

Another couple of elderly ladies told The Echo they were relived to live on the first floor.

“Most of the problems happen on the ground floor, it is mostly at night,” said the woman.

At the policing meeting, DCC area manager Kay Noonan said if the gate is broken, the council will look into it.

She said CCTV cameras at the complex are linked to Ballyfermot Garda Station and can be checked back to the previous 30 days.

Inspector Ronan Barry, Ballyfermot Garda Station said gardai are liaising with residents, and encouraged them to provide “specific details” when they call the station.

“We can assure them that it is flagged, and we endeavor to respond to all calls. We would ask residents to contact us and give us specific details, times and dates. Sometimes, people think someone else has called gardai. An awful lot of ground in the area is covered in the station by CCTV.”

Residents are encouraged to contact Ballyfermot Garda Station at 666 7200 if they witness any anti-social activity.

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