Gardai found ‘no significant drug-related incidents’ in area

GARDAÍ in Tallaght are aware of issues with anti-social behaviour and drug use at a portion of Sean Walsh Park that’s known locally as Little Vietnam, as a result of the dense overgrowth that surrounds it.

As reported in The Echo last week, there are persistent issues with drug use and litter in a walkway in the park that’s adjacent to Firhouse Road West.

The walkway is secluded as a result of being surrounded by trees and shrubbery, and it had become littered with drug paraphernalia, including used syringes, in recent weeks.

A local resident, who asked to remain anonymous, said they were concerned that a child could stumble into the area and injure themselves, and they expressed concerns about drug use in that section of the park.

When contacted about the issue, a garda spokesperson told The Echo that the Community Policing Unit in Tallaght Garda Station is aware of issues in that section of the park.

However, they said that “no significant drug-related detections” have been made in that area.

The spokesperson said: “The Community Policing Unit at Tallaght are aware of the issues at the location identified and the matter of groups of local youths congregating.

“Gardaí continue to conduct patrols of the area and have regularly moved groups of youths on, but to date no significant drug-related detections have been made.

“This area, as with other open areas and public parks, have received additional attention during Covid patrols and during different lockdowns as part of local policing plans.

“The Community Policing Unit at Tallaght continues to engage with and support local residents and would encourage those affected by anti-social behaviour to report all incidents to local gardaí.”

Tallaght Garda Station can be contacted on 01 666 6000.