The Garda Commissioner has described the ramming of a patrol car in Ballyfermot last night as 'disgraceful' and 'very concerning'.
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.
Dublin City Council workers have spent the morning cleaning up after three cars were burnt out.
“Disgraceful”
Garda Commissioner Drew Harris condemned the scenes.
“It is disgraceful and indeed, a very concerning incident.
“I am glad to report that the two garda members in the vehicle were uninjured and then were able to summon assistance which quickly arrived and helped them restore order.
“Overall, I would say there has been vigorous policing operations in that area over the last number of weeks. We have sized vehicles and arrests have been made.”
Terrifying scenes in Cherry Orchard tonight. I hope it serves as a wake up call. This community has been ignored for too long. Urgently needs resources & support from Government & senior Gadaí.
— Cllr. Daithí Doolan (@DaithiDoolan) September 19, 2022
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.”
What happened in Cherry Orchard happens routinely in a few of the most deprived areas.
And solution is to tackle poverty, provide jobs, training, fund youth outreach, community services, tackle overcrowding, treat drugs as health not criminal issue.
More cops can't solve it.
— James O'Toole (@JamesRedNetwork) September 20, 2022
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.
