Sinn Féin TD for Dublin South West Seán Crowe has called on the supply of illegal fireworks in Dublin to be tackled before anyone is seriously injured and for cuts to community policing to be immediately reversed.

Teachta Crowe said:

“For weeks now, Dublin has been besieged by barrages of illegal fireworks. There’s hardly a street in the area that doesn’t echo with the crack of bangers every night.

“Some people, particularly some of our elderly neighbours, are afraid to leave their homes after dark for fear of being pelted with a firework at enormous risk of serious injury or worse.

“Buses, delivery drivers and cyclists, and taxis have been attacked and pelted with fireworks, leading some to avoid entire areas now which affects all residents for the actions of a few.

“The lack of community gardaí in the evenings has led to a vacuum that has been filled with this fear and dread.

“Since the pandemic started in March, community Gardai have been on a contingency roster which was introduced by Garda Commissioner Drew Harris. This has meant that community policing unit was only working to 7pm each evening.

“Community policing is a hugely effective use of resources that prevents not only criminal activity, but helps tackle it at the root cause. Surely the prevention of crime in the first place Is where our resources must be directed.

“This lack of policing presence has emboldened a few in the community who now feel that they have the freedom to do what they want. Restlessness as a result of the months of lockdown is not helping, but we cannot underestimate the importance of community policing.

“The negative consequences of this activity will be felt for a long time to come.

“The Gardaí feel frustrated because they see regression in the areas where they had previously made good strides in communities.

“Communities are feeling abandoned and helpless in the face of these attacks.

“I am asking the Government to take the supply of illegal fireworks more seriously.

“Operation Tombola has been effective in the past but we are seeing a surge in the sale of fireworks and the situation calls for an equal surge of garda resources to get these fireworks off the streets and out of the hands of children.”