Young thugs stoning cars ‘are putting lives at risk’
A city councillor, whose car was hit by a ‘muck ball’ — a stone covered in mud — as she drove along the city’s North Ring road, said someone will be killed unless the problem is tackled.
Sinn Féin’s Annette Spillane called yesterday for extra garda foot patrols in the area after a spate of new attacks.
She had a narrow escape on Monday night when her VW Passat was hit while she was driving home after a city council meeting.
She was forced to swerve off the road after the attack which took place at about 9.15pm.
“I heard a loud bang when it hit the bonnet and then the side of the car,” she said.
“I thought I had hit something. But when I pulled into the local fire station and had a look, I saw all the muck, a dent and scratches on the car.”
The attack caused about €400 worth of damage to the bonnet and wing of the car.
Mayfield Garda Station got reports of two other similar attacks in the same area on the same night.
Ms Spillane said she believes those responsible are between 14 and 17 years of age.
Major regeneration work on council homes in the area is providing a ready-made source of ammunition, she said.
“The earth and stones are banked up nearby. These guys are hiding in behind a recycling bay and throwing stones from there,” she said.
“The gardaí sent a car down but these guys can see them coming and are usually gone by the time the guards arrive. They need to step up foot patrols in the area.”
Ms Spillane said there was no deterrent to prevent young people staging these attacks.
“There are very few juvenile detention centres and the ones we have are full. All they get it is a slap on the wrist.”
She said those responsible should be tracked down and made to pay for the repairs to her car.
Bus Éireann has in the past pulled its No 8 bus service from the Boherboy Road area of Mayfield because of stone throwing.
Services on the No 12 route to the Glen have also been curtailed.
Fire crews have reported similar incidents, Ms Spillane said.
