People of Cherry Orchard in Dublin are ‘Terrorised’
The people of Cherry Orchard in Dublin are ‘terrorised’ and ‘in tears’ after a Garda car was rammed by joyriders in housing estate yesterday.
Videos shared widely on social media show two cars speeding through the Ballyfermot housing estate in the early hours of the evening.
One of the cars can be seen performing a high-speed handbrake turn while a crowd gathers to watch.
As a Garda car arrives with its lights flashing, both cars continue to drive erratically, refusing to stop for the officers.
After one of the cars, drives directly at the Gardaí before turning away and speeding off the second car rams the garda vehicle head-on.
On Newstalk Breakfast this morning, the Chair of the local Joint Policing Committee, Councillor Daithí Doolan, said the local community is being traumatised by a minority.
“They are terrorised,” he said.
“I mean they were on the phone to me long before that video was watched by people.
“People were ringing me in tears, frustrated – but this is night after night after night and this is going back weeks and months.
“I was up there in January and witnessed this first-hand and bore the brunt of an attack when I was up there standing with the residents and I hope that last night and the video we have seen does land on the desk of the commissioner, does land on the desk of the minister.”
Nobody was injured in the incident, which has led to increased calls for investment in the community and in garda equipment, personnel and driver training.
Gardaí in Ballyfermot are appealing for witnesses or anyone with information to come forward.
A Garda spokesperson said: “Upon arrival, Gardaí observed two vehicles driving erratically. Both vehicles failed to stop when requested to do so by Gardaí and one vehicle collided with an official Garda vehicle. No injuries were reported during the incident.”
“Gardaí are appealing to any member of the public who may have witnessed this incident to come forward.
“Gardaí are also appealing to anyone who was travelling in the Cherry Orchard area at this time, who may have camera (dash cam) footage to make this available to investigating Gardaí.”
No arrests have been made and the Garda investigation is ongoing.
Credit to : Newstalk