GARDAÍ IN Dublin were yesterday investigating an incident in which more than 20 cars were vandalised in a housing estate in Dolphin’s Barn at the weekend.
Residents at Dolphin House, the largest social housing scheme in the State, said up to 30 cars had their tyres slashed or their paintwork scratched by men wearing balaclavas in the early hours of Sunday morning. Acid was also poured on a number of cars, while graffiti aimed at gardaí was daubed on a building housing a homework club in the estate.
Most residents declined to speak yesterday, citing fear of reprisal, and gardaí retained a presence on the estate during the day.
“They’ve all been told not to talk or they’ll be burnt out,” said a resident of his neighbours in one block. Gardaí had in recent weeks been conducting an intensive drive to counter drug-dealing in the area, and some locals speculated that the vandalism was an attempt by local youths to show strength.
Labour councillor Eric Byrne, who is director of the Dolphin House Community Development Association, suggested a link between the weekend’s attacks and recent Garda efforts to confront “very major problems” with drug-dealing in the area.
“This represents retaliation by the same drug gangs, who are determined by a reign of terror to stop people co-operating with the police.
“There has been ferocious intimidation of residents by these gangs of youths,” he said.
Problems at Dolphin House were compounded by a sense of frustration that a long-promised regeneration scheme would not take place for a number of years, Mr Byrne said. However, the area had good community infrastructure, including creches, after-school projects and an active community association.
“This is another attempt to cow the community,” he said. “But they won’t succeed, because there is resilience in the community.”
A Garda spokesman said the incidents were being investigated. No arrests had been made.