Gardaí stand accused by residents of ‘copping out’…
Maurice Garvey
GARDAÍ were accused of “copping out” of tackling anti-social behaviour at Le Fanu Park by irate residents at the recent Policing Meeting in Ballyfermot.
Le Fanu Road residents have grown tired of seeing groups of people drinking and “using the place as a toilet” at a location in the park every day, visible from their homes.
Another heated discussion about anti-social behaviour in Le Fanu Park at the Policing Meeting saw residents blast gardaí for a lack of convictions.
Senior gardaí stated they conduct regular patrols in the park but can only search people “if there is a suspected offence.”
Superintendent Brendan Connolly, from Clondalkin Garda Station strongly refuted “accusations of copping out.”
Supt Connolly said: “There have been no drug detections. I don’t convict – that is for the courts to decide. We don’t have the power to prevent people going into parks.
“There are park police in St Stephen’s Green and Phoenix Park, but these are covered by specific bye-laws. We can only search (someone) if there is a suspected offence.”
A Decies Road resident proposed that Le Fanu residents start a resident group to work with gardaí.
He said a resident group he was involved with, arranged meetings to improve anti-social behaviour in Markievicz Park, and the “garda response improved” and led to a decrease in anti-social behaviour.
Gardaí have made previous arrests for drug-dealing in Le Fanu Park.
Two people were arrested last summer for the sale and supply of drugs in Le Fanu Park, whilst a number of smaller drug seizures were also reported, as gardaí cracked down on individuals openly using and supplying drugs in the park.
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