Shots fired in Croftwood by feuding gang
By Maurice Garvey
RESIDENTS in the Cherry Orchard-Croftwood area endured a chaotic week – with reports of
shots being fired, feuding gangs, a taxi attacked, a car set on fire, bus routes diverted, and a vacant house vandalised on Monday.
The Echo understands booze-fueled celebrations in Croftwood on Saturday, sparked trouble between various youth factions.
This resulted in shots being fired on open public spaces, cars being attacked, joyriding, and the 79A bus service being diverted out of Cherry Orchard on Sunday night due to anti-social behaviour.
Local councillors were bombarded with calls by irate residents who are “fed up” with a worsening set of affairs.
The problems are a direct result of a lack of infrastructure in the area, according to Sinn Féin Councillor Daithí Doolan, who has called for additional garda resources to be implemented in a “priority area.”
Cllr Doolan said: “There was lots of anti-social behaviour on Saturday and Sunday. Residents rang gardaí but were told they didn’t have the resources to send anyone up. On Monday, a vacant house on Croftwood Gardens that was steeled up, was being vandalised after the steel was pulled away.
“I rang the council. They sent a crew, but naturally the crew wanted to ensure nobody was in the house when they got there, and gardaí provided support for them to clear it out. I’ve written to gardaí and asked for a meeting with senior gardaí. We need someone with political clout, like the Commissioner and Vice-Commissioner, to allocate resources to the community.”
Cherry Orchard resident and Fianna Fáil Councillor Daithi de Roiste, put forward proposals for a community courts scheme in a Dublin City Council meeting on Monday.
“Judges would have the power to send low-level offenders to do community service in the area,” said De Roiste, Chair of Dublin City Council’s Joint Policing Committee.
“It would provide a chance to atone and keep people out of prison, which costs €70k a year.”
De Roiste wants the scheme to be piloted in Dublin City Council and has forwarded the plans to Minister for Justice Frances Fitzgerald.
Independent Councillor Vincent Jackson, a youth worker, believes flexible hours at community centres would improve crime statistics in affected areas.
“I’ve looked at youth programmes in Spain, where they are open late, and it has reduced crime by 70 per cent.,” said Cllr Jackson.
“ You need to have services open when young people are around, not the usual 9-5 hours.”
A spokesperson for Dublin Bus confirmed services on Route 79/A “were diverted out of Cherry Orchard for the (Sunday) evening at approximately 9.30pm, due to anti-social behaviour.”
“Normal service resumed the following morning.”
