Garda meet rangers in effort to stop drug dealing in park

GARDAI have held meetings with park rangers and will increase patrols in an effort to curb open drug dealing at Corkagh Park and Cherrywood estate in Clondalkin.

The activity has been an ongoing issue for years, and a source of frustration for residents living beside the park in estates like Cherrywood.

At the JPC Policing meeting, Cllr Derren Ó Bradaigh (SF) said the consequences to “open drug dealing” in Cherrywood Crescent and Corkagh Grange, include intimidation and bad impressions for children.

“Residents I know have met with gardai. In the beginning it was a case of most of the drugs been stashed in the park, runners on bikes and so on. The main operation as I understand it, is taking place at the Cherrywood entrance to the park and to a lesser degree at St John’s entrance. Deals are been made through the railings very openly,” said Cllr Ó Bradaigh.

“Residents feel they are not being supported. There is  huge intimidation. Children in the area are witnessing this, that there is no consequences. There has to be some support to the community.”

Th newly appointed Clondalkin Superintendent Steven Mullen said gardai have held meetings with park rangers in relation to the issue.

“It has been agreed and it is being implemented that the community policing will increase their patrols in Corkagh Park and Cherrywood estate. Members of the community policing team have been instructed to carry out daily patrols in these areas,” said Supt Mullen.

“In addition to this, we are planning on utilising some of mountain bike patrols and we may, in time, also seek from some of our national units and support some high visibility policing in the area.”

He said a District Drugs unit are also working in and around the area.

Meanwhile, there was an increase in arrests for of possession of drugs for sale or supply in the first quarter of 2023 in Clondalkin  – 15 cases for January to March period compared to 7 cases for the corresponding period in 2022.

“This is due to extended patrols, and increased engagement in respect of drugs offences by members of AGS,” said Supt Mullen, Clondalkin Garda Station.

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