Call for 24-hour Garda presence

Residents living in Dolphin House, the largest social housing scheme in the State, have called for a permanent Garda presence after a bomb scare led to the cancellation of a meeting last night

The entire Dolphin House complex, in Dolphin's Barn, Dublin 8, was evacuated after a device was found at the entrance to a community hall which was hosting a meeting over anti-social and criminal behaviour in the area.

The Army bomb squad was called in shortly after 9pm to defuse the device which was found to be a hoax.

Last night's meeting of over 100 residents was in response to an incident at the weekend in which up to 30 cars had their tyres slashed or paintwork damaged by men wearing balaclavas in the early hours of Sunday morning.

The meeting, which had been organised by the Dolphin House Community Development Association (DHCDA) and attended by Dublin City Council officials and gardaí. had been rescheduled for next Monday.

The DHCDA has called on the gardaí and city council to take steps to ensure the safety of the community.

The situation of intimidation, anti-social behaviour and drug dealing has escalated to the point that is seriously damaging the quality of life for residents, for example, children’s ability to play safely in the estate has been reduced," the association said in a statement.

The DHCDA called for the continuation of 24-hour police presence on the estate and for a Garda station to be located in Dolphin House.

The DHCDA said it is writing to the Minister for Justice, the Assistant Garda Commissioner and all local TDs to meet to discuss these issues.