[vc_row][vc_column width=”2/3″][vc_column_text]Despite an increased Garda presence and extra security, incidents of vandalism have continued this month at a building site in Clondalkin.
Sisk Construction recommenced work on sixty three rapid build social houses in St Cuthberts Park, Bawnogue at the end of last month after gardai agreed to put additional resources in the area to protect site workers.
Work had previously stopped on the site for a week after many Sisk employees received threats, had their cars vandalised and tools stolen.
Vandals had also made a number of attempts to set fire to the houses which are being built for South Dublin County Council.
The site is now surrounded by high fencing and monitored by CCTV cameras which are linked directly to the local Garda station.
However the vandalism hasn’t been totally eradicated as three serious incidents of criminal damage have taken place this month.
On December 1, a JCB was destroyed after it was set alight.
The next night (2nd) a fire was started in one of the houses and it was only thanks to the quick response of the gardai and Dublin Fire Brigade that the blaze was prevented from causing serious harm.
On December 7 another arson was reported and this latest incident is currently also under investigation.
A Garda spokesperson told Dublin Gazette:
“Gardai from Clondalkin also attended the scene of an incident at St Cuthbert’s Park, Clondalkin, at about 4am on Friday, December 7.
“A cabin was set alight.
“No arrests have been made and investigations are continuing.”
Supt Brendan Connolly from Clondalkin Garda Station, said the local station has reintroduced an operation that was previously in place last year but had to be cut due to a lack of resources.
“There have been incidents there but there is a current policing operation in place and we will be monitoring it for the foreseeable future,” he said.
“Gardai and South Dublin County Council are working together to deal with any incidents.”
Mayor Mark Ward told Dublin Gazette that this month’s three acts of arson are “isolated incidents and everything is calm at the moment”.
Sisk Construction hadn’t responded to requests for a comment at the time of going to press.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/3″][/vc_column][/vc_row]
