Meeting attempts to defuse rising tempers over Cherry Orchard housing development

By Maurice Garvey

A MEETING was held in Ballyfermot Partnership this week between stakeholders and residents, in an attempt to calm down the tense atmosphere surrounding the new 72-home development at Cherry Orchard Park.

Plans for the €15 million development by Co-Operative Housing Ireland are going ahead, but it has not moved along quietly.

Opposition to the plans by a number of locals halted progress last week, and subsequent pro-housing ‘vigils’ were then established by mothers on the housing list.

The High Court then granted a temporary injunction preventing interference with work on the site.

However, events took a sinister turn on Monday, when petrol was thrown into the cab area of a digger.

The construction worker who was operating the vehicle was taken to hospital as a precaution, and gardaí have been forced to maintain a presence at the site.

One local mother said the Partnership “mediation” meeting was in response to the “nastiness” from conflicting views over the development.

“This is a new departure, someone could have lost a life,” said Independant Councillor Vincent Jackson.

“We are already down garda numbers in Ballyfermot and this is taking away further resources from the area.”

Sinn Féin councillor Daithí Doolan said he was “inundated with messages from residents supporting the workers on site.”

He said: “Local people will not be bullied by the criminals involved in the attack.We need a full and adequate response from gardaí. All resources required must be made available to ensure site workers receive protection.

“I have supported the building of these houses from the start, and will continue to work with locals and builders to ensure this project is completed.”

Investigations by gardaí into the petrol attack are ongoing. Anyone with information is asked to contact Ballyfermot Garda Station at 6667200.