Children call for action on vandals and joyriders

Action must be taken to wipe out antisocial behaviour including joyriding and vandalism in neighbourhoods and playgrounds, young children urged today.

A report has revealed children as young as 10-years-old in west Dublin are disturbed by the amount of stolen and burned out cars in their area, as well as the effects of joyriding.

Dr Katherine Zappone of the Childhood Development Initiative (CDI), a coalition of groups in the west Tallaght area, said: “The findings of the children’s consultation lay down clear challenges to adults living in the area and those with responsibility for public funds.”

The report by the Tallaght West Childhood Development Initiative carried out among fifth class students at seven different schools in the area found children were aware of vandalism – reporting people breaking windows for fun and throwing eggs.

Brian Lenihan, junior minister with responsibility for children, launched the report ’Experiencing Childhood Citizenship; Consultation with Children in Tallaght West’ which identified issues which affected young people in the area.

The research was carried out among seven different schools in Brookfield, Fettercairn, Killinarden and Jobstown in Tallaght and the children gave their opinions through acting out a drama on what they felt was important in their lives and the things that could be improved.

Pupils in four of the seven classes questioned also stated they disliked the gangs of older youths hanging around public areas, smoking, taking drugs and drinking. A fifth of the children said there was a need for improved controls to prevent antisocial behaviour.

Some of the 140 students participating said parents should take more responsibility for their children. They suggested the community clean up some of the dangerous materials, while gardaí also become more visible in the areas.

The children, who were aged 10 and 11-years-old, pointed to the need to keep young people safe from dangers, and one group proposed placing a “guard in the playground so he can stop drugs coming in“.

Other children said adult supervision was important in ensuring that play facilities were kept clean and recommended the removal of burned out cars.

The children also said there was a need to keep the community cleaner in four of the areas and less well-off families should be assisted in upgrading accommodation.

The CDI is planning to develop the childhood citizenship research as part of a 10-year strategy to remove the barriers to the well-being of the children in Tallaght west region.

Mr Lenihan said: “The findings raised are very practical and indicate, among other issues, the need for more play and recreation facilities in west Tallaght.”

Over half of the children surveyed said there was a massive need for better recreational facilities.

“I know that in some areas of the country there are absolutely no facilities for young people and those that do exist, such as community centres, are often dominated by adults,” Mr Lenihan said.

Mr Lenihan said that in the west Tallaght area grants of €72,000 each had been provided to Jobstown, Fettercairn and Killinarden for playgrounds.

The junior minister said the Education Department recently urged schools to consider sharing their facilities with the community.