Several nights of violence leave families begging for intervention

CHERRY Orchard witnessed “several nights of violence” last week, with stolen cars being driven at speed and being burnt out in in the area, as Sinn Féin Councillor Daithí Doolan says that he was assaulted when he visited the area.

Cllr Doolan says that he witnessed first-hand “the terror” local families are having to endure on a nightly basis in the area and is calling for increased Garda resources and effective action.

Cllr Doolan revealed that he was assaulted on Wednesday night, January 26, by someone who was involved in ‘joy riding’ when he visited the area to stand with and support the residents who he says are feeling “feel abandoned and isolated”.

“I was assaulted by one of the people involved in the so-called ‘joy riding’. It was a punch to the head from behind by a person who fled back into a crowd”, he said.

“Thankfully I was not hurt. But such an incident only feeds into a sense of lawlessness and abandonment for those who had to witness the attack.”

Speaking on Newstalk Breakfast last week after the incident, Cllr Doolan explained that residents in Cherry Orchard have been “begging and pleading” for an intervention and action, as they attempted to deal with issues such as burning cars being left on the street night after night.

“The Cherry Orchard community is being held to ransom by a small minority. This cannot be allowed to continue. The Gardaí must get control of the situation”, he concluded.