Crackdown promised at troubled estate

Gardaí today vowed to crackdown on anti-social behaviour in a troubled housing estate after residents said they were living in fear.

Senior gardaí gave a commitment to step up patrols in O’Devaney Gardens on Dublin’s North Circular Road after three people were arrested following public disorder earlier this week.

Lord Mayor Eibhlin Byrne said she had been given assurances by garda top brass that additional officers would be on the ground to maintain order over the coming nights.

Residents claimed that trouble flared twice this week, with up to 70 people involved in disturbances.

They also told local representatives, including the Mayor, a number of gardai were injured after being called to the housing estate.

However, these claims were denied by Chief Superintendent Michael Feehan, Store Street Garda Station, who said officers quickly brought the situation under control.

“My priority is to reassure the community that the incident, while unwelcome and upsetting for residents, was dealt with swiftly by An Garda Siochana,” he said.

“No members of An Garda Siochana were injured during the incident.”

Three men were arrested under the Public Order Act following disturbances on Wednesday night which is thought to have involved around 70 people.

The police chief today met Ms Byrne, who said she was satisfied with the assurances she received.

“The gardai assured me that they are not short of resources and will certainly police the area and will work with us and the residents to monitor and enforce the laws,” the Lord Mayor said.

“They will have adequate policing to deal with any situation that arrives in O’Devaney Gardens.”

Ms Byrne also met with 20 women living in the estate who expressed anger over the ongoing anti-social behaviour.

“You’re talking about serious anti-social behaviour to the extent that women can’t go to bed at night and are absolutely terrified,” Ms Byrne said.

“We all want better for our families and when this kind of thing happens, they’re obviously upset.”

The O’Devaney Gardens complex had been earmarked for massive regeneration in a joint project involving the Government and developer Bernard McNamara.

The plan collapsed last month when Mr McNamara announced he was pulling out of the scheme.

Ms Byrne also called on Dublin City Council to demolish a number of derelict blocks in the estate as soon as possible.