Ballymun / Finglas initiative needed in response to gang feuds- Rock

Ballymun and Finglas could benefit from a Government initiative similar to the one targeting gangland crime in the north inner city, a Fine Gael TD has said.

Deputy Noel Rock who represents the constituency of Dublin North-West wants the Government to replicate the funding it authorised for the north inner city for areas such as Ballymun and Finglas after the latest gangland shooting, which took place in Ballymun on Wednesday.

Speaking on the matter, Deputy Rock said, “The north inner city rightly received €1.6 million in funding in an effort to regenerate the area in light of the increase in gangland activities in the area. It is only fair that areas such as Finglas and Ballymun receive similar funding in an effort to combat crime and the causes of crime.

“We need to ensure that hard working and law abiding families in these areas are not sucked into the horrible violence that was witnessed in Ballymun on Wednesday evening. We also need to ensure that families and young people in particular are given a chance at a proper life and not one leading to crime.

“Both Ballymun and Finglas are fine communities and I have heard first-hand the anger of people living and working in these areas. They are tired of crime and are calling out for something to be done to make sure that when Ballymun and Finglas are mentioned in the news, it is a positive story and not a negative one,” continued Deputy Rock.

“I have witnessed the hard work of prevention & early intervention organisations in my own constituency and I believe that the Government should be doing what they can to ensure that we reduce the crime and violence in these areas.

“We must prioritise tackling gangland activities and anti-social behaviour in these communities. As someone who grew up in Ballymun and who has witnessed the regeneration of the area in the last decade, I know there are more positives to come from the locality than negatives, but the Government need to be supporting the organisations, sports clubs and facilities in these areas to ensure that this positivity continues and to try eliminate the scourge of crime,” concluded Deputy Rock.