major operation |
A woman in her 50s was arrested as paart of the operation.
Photo of the drugs and cash seized
Photo of the scramblers seized
GARDAI seized €30,000 of drugs in an operation targeting anti-social behaviour and drug dealing at a south Dublin park.
Gardai also seized two Surron electric scramblers, a car and €7,400 in cash in the operation targeting illegal activity in St Cuthberth’s Park in Bawnogue on Friday.
The park has suffered from anti-social behaviour for years particularly with drug dealing, people on scramblers and illegal dumping as well as attacks on workers carrying out improvement works.
Photo of the scramblers seized
A garda spokesperson said “During a search of a house in Clondalkin, the Drug Unit, Serious Crime South, recovered cocaine with an estimated street value of €15,000; cannabis with a value of €11,000; Alprazolam tablets worth €4,000 and almost €7,400 in cash. Two Surron e-motorbikes and a Honda Civic car were also seized.”
A woman in her 50s was arrested as part of the operation. “She was subsequently charged and bailed to appear before Blanchardstown District Court at a future date.”
Residents in the area have been struggling to reclaim St Cuthbert’s Park from anti-social elements in recent years and a high level task force made up of local residents and sports groups, gardai and elected representatives was established to address the issues.
In 2022 South Dublin County Council approved a €1.15m plan to enhance the park by adding cycle and walking routes, a children’s play ground, a multi-use sports area with floodlighting, a teenspace area and other improvements.
Photo of the drugs and cash seized
News in 90 Seconds – Saturday, October 4
However, the contractor involved in the project had to temporarily halt works on the project earlier this year due to anti-social activity including multiple attacks and criminal damage at the worker’s compound.
They had also been forced to temporarily halt work last year due to the anti-social issues and it is understood the cost of the project has risen as a result.
Last month locals were furious after three males on scramblers armed themselves with a chainsaw and cut down three trees in the park before revving the chainsaw at young children.