Gang attack boy (12) in Sean Walsh Park as calls for better CCTV continue

By Mary Dennehy

A YOUNG boy was punched in the head by a gang of teens and robbed of his bike in Sean Walsh Park – an aggressive daylight theft which has raised concerns around the effectiveness of the area’s CCTV.

Just after 6pm last Tuesday, a 12-year-old boy was with his friends in the playground of Sean Walsh Park when a gang of eight or nine teens reportedly robbed his bike – and gave the young lad a number of “digs” to the head and a black eye.

The 12-year-old’s father contacted The Echo to warn other parents of the aggressive theft and also to question the effectiveness of the park’s CCTV system – which has cameras located beside the playground.

Living close to Sean Walsh Park, the boy’s father told The Echo: “My son was in the playground when a gang of teenagers took his bike and gave him a few digs in the head – he has a black eye now but will be okay.

“An older man in the vicinity of the area called Tallaght Garda Station but they were unable to send a car over, so we went to the station to report the incident.

“The Garda we spoke with was very helpful however, they looked at the cameras and basically told us not to get our hopes up because the CCTV was not very good.

“What is the point of having CCTV in the area if it can’t pick up an incident on a bright, sunny evening when the culprits weren’t wearing hoods? Why have it?

“We’re really annoyed over this, the cameras in a public park should be of the highest quality and the footage should be clear.

“The cameras are supposed to be a deterrent, but these lads will be back down in the park again hassling someone else.”

The Echo put a number of questions concerning CCTV in the park to South Dublin County Council.

However, the council was unable to comment as the alleged incident is under investigation by gardai.

A senior Garda source confirmed to The Echo that they are investigating the matter and checking both CCTV from the park and the local area for evidence.

The source said: “The quality of CCTV depends on the system however, council CCTV systems are quite good.

“CCTV is effective but sometimes it can involve a bit of luck . . . and we may have to go through a number of cameras to get what we need for an investigation.”

There is a significant number of CCTV cameras in the Tallaght town centre area, with Tallaght gardai monitoring more than 50 of these cameras from the station.

As the bright evenings and school holidays approach, gardai have encouraged people to be mindful of their surroundings in local parks and are asking parents to talk with their children about their personal belongings and safety.

Gardai have also encouraged people to report all incidents to the station in Tallaght on 6666000.