Dublin People - Regeneration scheme collapse blamed for riot

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Regeneration scheme collapse blamed for riot

Wednesday, 13 August 2008

THE collapse of a regeneration project has been singled out as the main reason behind a vicious riot in a Northside flat complex last week.
There was chaos around O’Devaney Gardens when drink-fuelled thugs attacked gardai who were responding to complaints of anti-social behaviour.
The yobs had gathered around vacated blocks of flats which are earmarked for demolition as part of the area’s proposed regeneration project.
However, uncertainty over the project’s future has been put on hold and the blocks are now a magnet for anti-social behaviour.
During last week’s riot, gardai were forced to call for extra back up when missiles were thrown and a stolen car was driven directly at members of the force.
It’s believed that the riot kicked off late Wednesday night, (August 6) when gardai attempted to arrest a member of a troublesome gang.
Residents were left fearing for their lives as the stand off escalated into an out-of-control riot.
“The gang of lads had been drinking in the area all night,” resident Lena Jordan told Northside People.
“It started to get really ugly at around 9.45pm when the lads jumped the gardai who were trying to arrest one of them.
“I’ve never seen anything like what happened over the next hour and a half.
“The youths threw everything they could get their hands on at the gardai and they used a robbed car to try to mow the guards down.”
According to the local resident, the collapse of the regeneration of O’Devaney Gardens has triggered an increase in anti-social behaviour.
“These gangs are hanging around and drinking in and around the four empty blocks which are due to be demolished,” she said.
“The atmosphere here is at boiling point. Residents feel they have been badly let down and left in limbo while these gangs are running riot.”
According to local councillor Emer Costello (Lab), last week’s stand off was like something you’d expect to see in the Bronx.
“It was a very dangerous and tense atmosphere and I believe a gun was being brandished during the riot,” she told Northside People.
“Many of those involved came from other estates but they all seem to descend on O’Devaney.
“Residents were let down by the scrapped regeneration and they now feel even more despondent after the recent incident. Understandably, they feel like they are sitting on a ticking time-bomb.”
She added: “The area badly needs a policing plan and a facelift.”
Local TD Cyprian Brady (FF) defended his party’s role in the collapse of the regeneration.
“Some members of the opposition have attacked the Government for not doing enough on this issue,” he said.
“I find this incredulous as I have been working non-stop to try and resolve the matter.
“This problem is not going to be solved overnight and understandably residents are frustrated. We need action and taking political pot-shots for personal gain will help nobody.”
Deputy Brady met with Assistant City manager Ciaran McNamara and the area manager last week to discuss the future of O’Devaney Gardens.
“I have asked the council give some sort of concession to the tenants left in O'Devaney who have applied for a transfer,” he explained.
“We need to tackle the anti-social issues head on. I stressed to the council the importance of cleaning and maintaining the area as the state it has been left in has without a doubt contributed towards anti-social behaviour in the estates.”
A spokesperson for the gardai said that three people were arrested following last week’s riot.
“A group of youths were involved in the dispute,” she told Northside People.
“A 30-year-old woman and two men aged 31 and 24 have been charged with public order offences.
“They will appear in court on September 1.”
The gardai have stepped up their presence to monitor the O’Devaney Gardens area more closely.
Dublin City Council has met with the Gardai and will install extra CCTVs in an effort to tackle the anti-social behaviour in O’Devaney Gardens.
A council spokesperson explained the current situation with regard to the regeneration.
“It is intended to demolish four of the vacant blocks in September with the agreement of the City Council,” it was stated.
“We will continue with our de-tenanting programme for those who wish to avail of it and we believe that with the co-operation and agreement of the local community we can prioritise the process and achieve a substantial reduction in that number [of occupied units] in the next twelve months.
“Given the present economic climate we are looking at how the entire site can be regenerated on an incremental basis. We believe that we will be in a position to outline our plans within three months.
“This team will in the meantime be consulting with the local community through the Regeneration Board for O’Devaney Gardens and with the local councillors.”

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