00:00:00/ —
Public Safety
Emergency Motion – Halloween Violence
Agenda #19November 2, 20264 speakers · 7 minutes
This subject appears to have been discussed and voted on together with other subjects. See the discussion at:
Emergency Motions
7′
minutes
The Labour Party1′
People Before Profit1′
Summary
AI-generated text
Emergency motions five and six from Cllr. Jesslyn Henry and others respond to serious disorder across Dublin on Halloween night, including Dublin Fire Brigade's busiest Halloween in 15 years with around 470 Halloween-related calls, cars set alight and dangerous driving in Cherry Orchard, a car driven into a bonfire in Dolphin's Barn, fireworks aimed at people in Darndale, an arson attack on St John Vianney's football club and burnt-out cars. The motions call for a changed, coordinated approach starting now to prepare for next Halloween, with early intervention, stronger enforcement and preventative measures.
Main issues
- Cllr. Jackson described Saturday night in Cherry Orchard as a derogation of state responsibility, saying no Gardaí were visible at community events and calling for the Garda Commissioner to come to Ballyfermot and Cherry Orchard; Cllr. Moriarty cited media reports that Gardaí were directed not to enter Cherry Orchard and asked the Lord Mayor to write to the Garda Commissioner for an explanation, with the Lord Mayor agreeing to write as part of the unanimous decision.
- Several councillors stressed the role of community investment and events, with Cllr. de Nortúin calling on DCC to be less risk averse in supporting community activities and to restore the Cherry Blossoms event in Cherry Orchard and Cllr. Perry calling for a task force and early planning with firm commitments from Gardaí and the council; Cllr. Steenson warned that similar antisocial behaviour, drug dealing and car theft happens every weekend across the city.
- Management defended the existing coordinated Halloween planning, citing around 300 tonnes of stockpiled material lifted this year, supported the motion but argued against a citywide task force in favour of an administrative area approach reporting to area committees, and confirmed Cherry Blossoms has already been resurrected for next year.
Dublin Fire Brigade described this year's Halloween as its busiest in 15 years. Of 1,620 calls processed on Saturday night, 470 were directly related to Halloween. Call volume to its communication centre was up by more than 60 per cent on last year's 1,040 calls. Chief Fire Officer Greg O'Dwyer pointed to dry and mild weather, Halloween falling on a Saturday and greater access to illegal fireworks through online channels. In some parts of Dublin, stolen cars and debris were used to block roads and stop fire crews reaching incidents.
Cherry Orchard in Ballyfermot was the worst-affected area. Gardaí were reportedly told not to enter a housing estate because of health and safety concerns that stolen cars would be used to knock them down. The Croftwood area saw groups of youths bring as many as seven stolen cars into the estate. Gardaí are understood to have deployed into the estate later, once it was judged safe, to support Dublin Fire Brigade. Local representatives have linked the disorder to the loss of the area's organised community fireworks display. Cllr Doolan has called for it to return next year, saying it has traditionally helped keep celebrations under control.
This matters because Halloween disorder in Dublin recurs each year, and it strains emergency services and communities. Reports of areas being treated as unsafe for responders raise questions about public safety and policing. Media reports say the council's backing for the motion marks a move towards a longer-term strategy, with preparations aimed at Halloween 2027. Illegal fireworks and bonfires are also a continuing enforcement and health-and-safety concern.
Statements(0)
AI-generated text
No speaker statements