Joyriders’ crash into pole left over 2,500 residents without electricity
By Maurice Garvey
JOYRIDERS crashed into an electricity pole this week, causing over 2,500 residents to suffer a power shortage late at night.
The crash occurred in the Gaels-Drumfinn Park area of Ballyfermot at 9.30pm on Thursday, November 3, at a time when many people were settling down to watch television.
A number of local businesses had difficulty closing their shutters due to the power fault.
The Echo understands gardai are investigating the incident and have identified a culprit, which is the latest act of destruction caused by joyriders in the community.
Gardai have already seized 530 stolen or uninsured cars in Ballyfermot during the first nine months of this year.
The park – known locally as California Hills – has being plagued by cars and neglected horses in recent times.
Damage to the amenity is so bad, that the local football team, who count the park as their home ground, fear they will never play games there again.
“Vandals have destroyed the pitch,” said a California Hills resident committee member.
“The pitch is totally gutted. It was mayhem for two days in a row last week with the cars. I don’t think the club will ever be able to play there again, and they are losing members.”
Drumfinn Celtic FC moved back to the park in 2014 after a 15-year hiatus, but still have to play their home matches at Markievicz Park, because of the anti-social problems.
“The knock-on effects over the last 10 years, is that you also have people pulling up in vans, throwing mattresses and rubbish out,” said the committee member.
“We’ve been two years telling the council what needs to be implemented, but nothing is done. There are six entrances to the park, too many.”
Independent Councillor Vincent Jackson, who was at the blessing of the pitch in 2014 with Fr Joe from St Matthew’s Church, has requested Dublin City Council to install a barrier around the football pitch.
Cllr Jackson said: “An assessment was carried out on the cost of the barrier last year at €19k – it would stop cars and horses getting on the pitch. The park needs a bit of T&C. Some parks seem to be forgotten about. California Hills has lovely topography and trees, but it needs a fair crack of the whip.
“People are driving around in cheap or stolen cars and on quad bikes with no helmets. The RSA and authorities make announcements, but nothing is ever said about that.”
A spokesperson for the ESB said the power outage caused “loss of supply to approximately 2,500 customers”.
They added: “ESB Networks crews were immediately dispatched to the area. An initial investigation found that the outage was caused by the impact of a car hitting an electricity pole. The relevant authorities were immediately notified and are investigating the incident.
“ESB crews carried out repair works and the majority of customers had their power restored by midnight on Thursday, November 3. ESB Networks apologises to customers in the area for the inconvenience caused by the outage.”
