Once again, on Monday evening, residents in the housing estate of Cherry Orchard heard the screaming of tyres outside their homes. Parents ran to get their kids in from the garden for fear of the madness which has been happening all too regularly in recent weeks as criminals rallied their robbed cars up and down the roads, cheered on by a mob. Thankfully, despite being very shook up, the gardaí in the only squad car in the area, which was rammed, suffered only minor injuries.

What is going to be done to ensure the community in Cherry Orchard can be protected, ensure there is more than one squad car for the area and ensure that what we saw on Monday cannot be repeated again? What will be done to ensure that a task force similar to that in the north inner city is set up and that the regeneration and investment, long promised for the area, is delivered immediately to show the people of Cherry Orchard that they are not abandoned by the State?

I share the Deputy’s abhorrence of what happened in Cherry Orchard the other night. In response to his question on what the State can do and is doing, first, in response to a number of incidents earlier this year, both Cherry Orchard and Ballyfermot local Garda management immediately enhanced their high-visibility policing presence, together with the support and assistance of the Dublin Metropolitan Region regional public order unit over the course of a number of weekends. This high visibility is continuing. I am advised that earlier this year, Garda management implemented and has continued a high-profile policing presence plan to reassure the community and to secure confidence in the policing in the area. This plan includes additional high-visibility pedal cycle patrols in the environs of the local shopping area, additional mobile presence in the community, support of the regional divisional roads policing unit and increased armed presence through patrolling by the regional support unit and armed support unit. There is also patrolling of open areas and the canal by the Garda mounted units.

Operation Préachán is also in operation since 20 August this year and focuses on tackling car-related crime and antisocial behaviour. As a result of this operation, seven individuals have been arrested and brought before the courts, with strict bail conditions imposed. It is a very serious issue.