Fourteen syringes discovered in middle of housing estate
By Maurice Garvey
A MOTHER fed up waiting for authorities to dispose of used syringes at a green space in the middle of an estate, took matters into to her own hands by removing the offending material with a litter-picker.
The woman, who did not wish to be named, said approximately 14 syringes were discovered at a corner of Cherry Orchard Park, beside Clifden Drive, on two occasions over the last five days.
In the first instance, up to ten syringes were discovered on Saturday evening, August 4, by a couple out walking to Le Fanu Park with their kids.
The mother of that family said it was a “disgrace”, noting that the syringes were located on an open green space “where loads of kids play”.
The resident who removed the syringes with a litter-picker says they tried to contact authorities but to no avail.
“I stopped a garda on the road and asked them to come down, but he said they were not equipped to deal with it and our best bet was to ring Dublin City Council,” she said.
“I went to the local area office at the Civic Centre and reported it. They said someone will get rid of it. My husband went to pick up our kids up from football at 7pm.
“When he was coming back at 8.45pm, nothing had been done, so two of us got a plastic box and a loan of a litter picker from a neighbour and picked them all up.”
She continued: “The second lot was on Tuesday night when more were found. I picked up about four in the exact same spot. There has been nothing like that there in years before Saturday.
“I just pray to God no children get hurt. We want to try and get there before anyone gets injured but we have still heard nothing back from the council.”
Syringes discovered
When contacted by The Echo, a DCC spokesperson said: “The Park Service received a report on August 8 about a syringe in an open area at Clifden Drive adjacent to Le Fanu Park and on inspection there was nothing to be found.
“However, local residents advised that there were 14 syringes discarded at the location in question and the area will be monitored in case this re-occurs.
“In the normal maintenance of Le Fanu Park and surrounding areas it should be stated that there are not normally syringes discarded in public areas and it is hoped that this was a one-off occurrence.
“Park staff will react to such reports when they are informed and they are trained to dispose of this type of waste in a safe manner.”
