Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 9 Nov 1995

Vol. 458 No. 1

Written Answers. - Hallowe'en Riots.

Michael McDowell

Question:

25 Mr. M. McDowell asked the Minister for Justice the way in which the gardaí handled the Hallowe'en riots in Gallanstown, Ballyfermot, Dublin 10, on 31 October 1995; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16488/95]

Minister for Justice (Mrs. Owen)

A serious disturbance occurred in the Gallanstown-Cherry Orchard area of Ballyfermot on the evening of 31 October 1995. From approximately 7.30 p.m., the gardaí became the target of a concerted and premeditated plan to immobilise them, ram vehicles and cause injury. Reinforcements were drafted in and an operation was conducted to restore order in the area. Order was restored by 11.00 p.m. Sixteen arrests were made and the following items recovered: 72 milk bottles, one of which was primed as a petrol bomb, 14 lengths of spiked planks of timber and four stolen cars.

I am aware that some suggestions have been made to the effect that the gardaí delayed an ambulance getting through to a young boy who had been injured. This matter is the subject of a separate investigation at present. However, I am informed by the Garda authorities that the gardaí, in fact, had to escort the ambulance through the crowd in order that it could reach the young boy. Records show that the ambulance arrived at our Lady's Hospital in Crumlin 11 minutes after it had arrived at Gallanstown.

It is important to state that the persons engaged in this disorder represent a small minority of those living in the area and involved others from outside the area. Since the incident, the gardaí in Ballyfermot have received numerous messages of support from people in the area and others commending them for the action taken to protect life and property. While it is clear there are certain underlying social factors contributing to crime in the area, it must be stressed there is no justification for the type of anti-social behaviour witnessed in the incident in question. Such behaviour is at all times unacceptable. Nevertheless, there is a need to tackle fundamental causes and, in this regard, proposals for a community based initiative similar to the one in operation in Ronanstown are being finalised by the Garda and will be submitted to the Department in the very near future. I will act quickly on the recommendations made in this regard as these schemes are proving to be quite effective in other areas.