Garda car rammed during shocking incident in Cherry Orchard

A GARDA car was rammed by joyriders this evening in the Cherry Orchard area of Ballyfermot after responding to reports of two vehicles driving erratically in the area.

Video footage posted online sees two cars driving up and down a busy road at speed, driving around a roundabout and then ramming the garda vehicle as it approaches one of the erratically driven cars.

A large number of youths can be seen cheering and encouraging dangerous driving of the car and the ramming of a Garda vehicle.

Gardai confirmed to The Echo on Monday evening: “Shortly after 7:30pm this evening, Monday 19th September 2022, Gardaí responded to reports of dangerous driving in the Cherry Orchard area.

“Upon arrival Gardaí observed two vehicles driving erratically. Both vehicles failed to stop when requested to do so by Gardaí and one vehicle collided with an official Garda vehicle. No injuries were reported during the incident.”

Gardai are appealing to any member of the public who may have witnessed this incident to come forward. Gardai are also appealing to anyone who was travelling in the Cherry Orchard area at this time, who may have camera (dash cam) footage to make this available to investigating Gardai.

Local Councillor Daithí Doolan, chairperson of the Joint Policing Committee in Dublin South Central, said: “Tonight’s violence in Cherry Orchard must serve as a wake-up call to the Government and senior Gardai. This community has been ignored for too long. It urgently needs resources and support to tackle this lawlessness.

“Tonight robbed cars terrorised Cherry Orchard residents from early evening. When Gardai arrived their car was rammed a number of times and had to leave the scene. The cars continued to be driven recklessly on the road and were then burnt out in the local park. This was a terrifying ordeal for local residents.

“This nightly violence has to come to an end. Garda Assistant Commissioner for Dublin Angela Willis must deploy extra Gardai and resources to Ballyfermot. Otherwise, I am deeply concerned this great community will be abandoned to a very small group of criminals.

“I would appeal to the community, Dublin City Council, youth workers, other politicians and the Gardai to work together to put solutions in place and pull the community back from the edge.

“We urgently need the Government to work with us and support our plan for Cherry Orchard and turn the situation around before it is too late.”

Anyone with any information in relation to this incident should contact Ballyfermot Garda Station on 01 666 7200, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111 or any Garda station.

No arrests have been made, investigations are ongoing.