Dessie Ellis (Dublin North West, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I am well aware of Operation Tombola and the way it has worked, particularly in Finglas and Ballymun over the years. It has worked well and we have had very few incidents in recent years, but this is different. It has been going on for months, and the number and the strength of the bangers are unprecedented, as is what is happening in our communities. It may be that it is a result of Covid and restlessness, especially among young people, because that certainly seems to have been a factor in the escalation. There may be enough legislation, but the problem is there are not enough resources on the ground. There have been cutbacks on Garda overtime and community gardaí do not work past 7 p.m. I do not get it. This has happened since Covid emerged, as has been confirmed to me. These are problems that we need more resources to deal with. We have to seize fireworks at their sources, whatever they are. There seem to be a massive number of them, day and night and into all hours of the morning. They are everywhere, not just in working class areas.

I have experienced it everywhere. Hallowe'en has been a particularly bad time in some areas down through the years. The work of the Garda in Finglas and Ballymun over the last number of years in regard to Hallowe'en has been brilliant. It has prevented many of the problems. Working with the council, we seized various paraphernalia that was being used for bonfires and so on. Great work has been done but we need to get the message out, particularly to the young people. Those involved are, in the main, young people and their behaviour is so reckless. They are throwing fireworks into cars, supermarkets and people's faces. I accept that in some instances no harm is meant but in some cases the fireworks are being directed in a reckless manner. We need action on this issue.

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