CASTLECONNELL has become a haven for “undesirables” who enjoy living off the vulnerable.
That’s the opinion of former Garda Detective and Fianna Fáil councillor Sean Lynch who told last Monday’s Metropolitan District Council meeting that the rise in criminal activity could be linked to the loss of public services in local communities.
Commenting on a motion from party colleague Cllr Joe Pond calling for the local Garda Station to be open 24-hours daily, Cllr Lynch said Castleconnell was a “beautiful and fabulous place” that had been impacted by criminals who enjoy living off vulnerable people in areas where there is a visible shortage of police officers.
He commended Gardaí for recent drug seizures in the area but he didn’t see the opening of a Garda Station 24/7 as the answer to the issues of antisocial behaviour and more sinister drug-related crimes.
“You are only as good as your community. They should be your eyes and ears. They are closing pubs, post offices and churches. Soon people will have no reason to leave their homes,” he added.
Cllr Pond called on the council to engage with the Minister for Justice and Garda Commissioner to obtain the necessary funding to allow the Castleconnell Garda Station to open 24-hours daily to serve the area as well as neighbouring Annacotty and Castletroy.
He claimed that elderly people were “snapping up panic alarms” to feel more secure in their homes.
Metropolitan Mayor Daniel Butler worried that Castleconnell could become stigmatised.
“Its problems are not insurmountable,” he said.
