Issues with drug litter escalates in ‘Little Vietnam’ in recent weeks

ISSUES with drug use and litter, including drug paraphernalia, at a section of Sean Walsh Park in Tallaght – known locally as ‘Little Vietnam’ – have worsened in recent weeks, according to a local resident.

The affected section of the park is a walkway adjacent to Firhouse Road West that’s secluded as a result of being surrounded by trees and shrubbery.

As reported in The Echo last month, the section of the park that backs onto Cill Cais in Old Bawn has become littered with drug paraphernalia, including used syringes.

A resident who frequents the park, and asked to remain anonymous, claims that they and other park users have been approached by people who are looking to buy drugs and that the level of hazardous waste in the aforementioned section of the park has escalated in recent weeks.

“It’s a joke, I’m actually speechless,” the resident said. “I don’t know how they’re getting away with it still.”

The resident previously expressed fears that a child could stumble into the secluded section of the park.

“If some little kid wandered in there, they could end up standing on a syringe or a crack pipe,” the resident said.

“The council needs to clear it up, pull the trees down and take the rubbish out.”

Drug paraphernalia found in the park last month

A spokesperson for South Dublin County Council told The Echo that they are aware of the issues with drug use and litter at the affected section of the park and they are planning a “thorough clean-up” of it.

“The council is aware of the issues of drug taking and drug paraphernalia/litter in certain parts of Sean Walsh Park, which are to some extent hidden from public view by overgrowth of bushes and low-hanging tree branches,” the spokesperson said.

“This issue has been responded to in the past by the council’s Public Realm Section.

“A thorough clean-up of the area in question is being arranged and will take place in the coming days.

“It is not proposed to remove any trees at this time, however pruning of tree branches and removal of overgrowth will be arranged, to make the area visible to members of the public who are using the park.

“The pruning of trees will follow the completion of the clean-up of drug litter and will be completed in the coming weeks.”

A garda spokesperson was contacted for comment, but a response wasn’t received in time for print.