Ongoing issues of drug-dealing in park close to primary school
By Aideen O'Flaherty
A MAN in his 20s was arrested by gardaí who were on patrol in an area of Bancroft Park that has been described as a “blackspot” by a local councillor. On Tuesday afternoon, gardai discovered approximately €400 worth of what they believe to be cannabis, which is pending analysis.
According to Mick Duff, an independent councillor for Tallaght Central, there have been ongoing issues with open drug-dealing and anti-social behaviour in the section of Bancroft Park that is to the rear of Scoil Aonghusa.
Bancroft Park has ongoing anti-social behaviour issues
Cllr Duff told The Echo: “As a result of a number of complaints from local residents and myself regarding anti-social behaviour and drug-dealing on the footbridge at the rear of Scoil Aonghusa, gardaí arrested a person on Tuesday.
“This area of the park has been a blackspot for some time – it’s an area where there are a lot of young people gathering and engaging in anti-social behaviour, like burning rubbish.
“Residents are at the end of their tether.”
Cllr Duff tabled a motion at a Joint Policing Committee meeting February calling for CCTV at this location, and even though the motion was carried the cameras have not yet been installed.
“Following on from my representations to the council about this, I’m pursuing the installation of CCTV,” said Cllr Duff.
“I’m also hoping that South Dublin County Council will come up with creative idea for how to use that land, and that they will install public lighting to prevent the continuance of anti-social behaviour in that area.”
Cllr Duff added: “I’m calling for more garda interventions in the area, particularly at the Castle Park/Bancroft end of the park.
“I’m very pleased that the guards have responded and I’m hoping we will see a situation where there is a garda presence in that area of the park.”
In relation to the young man that was arrested on Tuesday, a garda spokesperson told The Echo that he was approached by garda as he was “behaving suspiciously”.
They added that he “has since been charged in relation to the incident and is due to appear before the Criminal Courts of Justice on August 21, 2019.”
