Several nights of joyriding and violence in one part of west Dublin has been described as mayhem.
Extra Garda patrols have been put in place in the housing estate in Cherry Orchard after a number of incidents of dangerous driving.
The fire brigade put out at least one car fire on Wednesday night as the Garda helicopter flew overhead.
Ballyfermot councillor Daithí Doolan describing the atmosphere in the area;
"It's a very small area of Cherry Orchard, where every night repeatedly the cars are burnt out in that particular row of houses, people's hearts were broken, they begged and pleaded with the lads not to do it.
"I stood with them, and out of the crowd came somebody, who came up behind me, I didn't see them. They didn't have the courage to look me in the eye, didn't have the courage to stand toe-to-toe with me, and gave me a box in the back of the head."
Firefighters extinguishing a vehicle fire in Ballyfermot with @gardainfo air and ground units in attendance. We work closely with our partner emergency services at all types of incidents#Dublin #fire pic.twitter.com/fob4StK3Vx
— Dublin Fire Brigade (@DubFireBrigade) January 26, 2022
Locals say they’re constantly dealing with cars being robbed, driven at high speed through the area, before they’re burnt out0.
Some of them now say they are too afraid to leave their homes.
People Before Profit TD Bríd Smith wants a taskforce brought in for area, similar to what was introduced in the north inner city.
She says residents are tired of the ringing the Gardaí and getting no response;
"People need a response when they feel threatened, when their houses are being stoned, or cars are burning outside them. The fire brigade were attacked last week. It seems to be just 'anything goes' because it's not being challenged."
Local councillors and TDs are meeting today to discuss the issues – while Gardaí are asking anyone with information on those responsible to contact Ballyfermot Garda Station
