Gardai called to maintain public order as residents in Clondalkin protest

Gardai from Ronanstown Garda station were called to maintain public order last night as residents in the area took to the streets to protest over the alleged housing of a convicted sex offender in the community.

David Radford (21), who is originally from Butterfield Avenue, Rathfarnham was released from prison recently having been convicted of sexual assault in November 2015.

Prior to this Radford had 15 convictions, including three for sexual assault dating back to April 2010.

Officers arrived at the Weavers Court apartment block on Thursday night around 9pm where up to 100 people had gathered after rumours that the convicted sex offender was living in the area had been circulated on social media.

In video shared online a significant number of officers can be seen blocking the entrance to the complex, while one Sergeant can be heard addressing the crowd for a period of time.

He told the crowd officers had conducted a search of the property and the man residents believed to be living there was not in the building.

Despite this, however, the concerned group maintained the man in question had been seen at a local pub and shopping complex on Wednesday, and was living in one of the apartments.

In a statement released to Echo.ie a Garda spokesperson said: “Gardaí in Ronanstown attended a public order incident at Weavers Court on the 23rd March 2017 at approximately 9pm.

“No injuries were reported and no offences were disclosed.”