At a packed and very lively public meeting in St Joseph's School in Finglas on 26 April, Sinn Féin Councillor Dessie Ellis demanded strong action from the Gardaí and Dublin Corporation to curb the growing problem of `joy-riding' and anti-social behaviour in Finglas West.

Ellis, who organised the meeting in response to requests from local people, praised community activists who are working hard to improve the area but criticised those parents who refuse to take responsibility for the actions of their children and allow them to roam the streets at all hours.

Ellis praised the work of Joe English and Dave Kenny of Dublin Corporation, who are now clamping down on anti-social tenants. They had interviewed 200 tenants over the past 6 months and evicted several who continued to make life impossible for their neighbours, although evictions and exclusions, stressed Ellis, should only be a last resort.

The proliferation of so-called company cars was causing great danger in the area. Dessie urged the Gardai to target known rogue car dealers in the Finglas area, who were recycling scrap cars which had failed the National Car Test for around £50 apiece. Gardaí are seizing 75 a week in the Blanchardstown/Cabra/Finglas areas, he said, but they are being replaced just as quickly.

Dessie Ellis also highlighted the lack of facilities in Finglas. Much of the available space was being taken up with new housing and it was vital that Dublin Corporation build proper leisure and youth centres before all the space was gone.

Cabra rejects anti-social behaviour

About 1,500 people packed into the Grand Cinema in Cabra, Dublin, on Friday 28 April in response to a significant upsurge in anti-social behaviour in the greater Cabra area. The meeting was organised by Sinn Féin Councillor Nicky Kehoe at the request of residents. Recent burglaries and joyriding were high on the agenda. ``The turnout was no surprise to me,'' he said, ``as the community have responded in the past and the input by the residents who articulated their grievances was tremendous''.

The meeting, chaired by Sinn Féin Councillor Larry O'Toole, was kept brief and to the point. Residents were not found wanting in telling the trouble makers that they were not going to be intimidated while questions were directed at Gardaí.

The meeting decided to allow a period of eight weeks after which the situation will be reviewed. Those involved in anti social behaviour and their parents have been asked to recognise their responsibility towards the community while the Gardaí were urged to act sooner rather than later. If the crime levels have not been sufficiently tackled in this period, another meeting will be called to explore alternatives.