Tallaght families in the line of fire as gangland feuds escalate

By Mary Dennehy

ESCALATING feuds and disputes in one Tallaght estate put the lives of local families in danger this week after a car was rammed off the road by a gang of ‘masked’ men – and a male in his twenties violently assaulted in front of parents and children who were making their way to school.

The incident, which happened on Tuesday at around 9am, involved a car being deliberately rammed off the road by another vehicle in Killinarden Heights, as parents and young children made their way to a local school.

The three men, who reports suggest were wearing balaclavas, then physically assaulted the male with what is believed to have been a baseball bat.

The three attackers fled the scene and the man attacked, who is believed to be in twenties, was taken to hospital with injuries.

A Garda source told The Echo that the incident resulted in a number of traffic collisions as motorists attempted to move out of the way to safety.

A Garda source said: “This incident posed a serious danger.

“It happened close to a school at 9am so there was lots of traffic in the area and children about, and there was a number of traffic collisions as a result of the assault.

“We are currently investigating the incident and taking statements, and anybody who witnessed what happened or who has information is encouraged to contact Tallaght Garda Station.”

The source added: “The incident appears to be connected to ongoing issues in the area, however, we cannot confirm the reason for the incident at this point – there are several theories.

“We do believe that all those involved in the incident are from the immediate area.”

A number of incidents have occurred in the Killinarden area in recent months, which, according to Tallaght Sinn Féin councillor Cathal King, has left residents “demanding action”.

“Gardai have increased patrols in the area but not much else is happening,” Cllr King said.

“There is a presence and that’s great, but we need more Garda resources and more Garda action – residents are at their wit’s end.

“Killinarden is not the only estate experiencing issues at the moment, incidents of serious anti-social behaviour is escalating across the whole area.

“I couldn’t believe that this incident happened outside a school on Tuesday, but people think they can get away with anything – they don’t feel there are any repercussions.

“If they do get caught and are brought to court, they face a light sentence or get away with it.”

He added: “The vast majority of people living in estates are law-abiding and they are fed up and demanding action.

“The council also has a role to play in this under its tenancy agreements . . . we need to get everybody working together, the gardai, the council and the community.

“We need to rebuild relationships between the gardai and the community. . . and additional Garda resources need to be invested into the area.”

Contact Tallaght Garda Station on 6666000 or the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111 with information on Tuesday’s incident.