Shocking scenes in Dublin as gardai 'rammed' twice…

Shocking scenes in Dublin as gardai 'rammed' twice before cars left to burn in local park

Scenes of dangerous driving in west Dublin on Monday have caused outrage on social media after a Garda car was rammed repeatedly.

It happened on Cherry Orchard Avenue at around 7.30pm with a number of people witnessing the shocking incident.

Footage shared on social media shows spectators cheering as one of the vehicles involved in the incident drove back and forth along the road, as they conducted hand brake turns.

Onlookers can be heard alerting drivers to a Garda car approaching, with some encouraging the drivers to "ram them".

As the Garda car arrived at the scene, a driver could be seen lining themselves up to ram the patrol car twice before driving off.

The cars involved in the incident were left to burn in the local park following the terrifying scenes last night.

Local Sinn Fein councillor Daithi Doolan, who is chairperson of the Joint Policing Committee in Dublin South Central, slammed the scenes.

He said the community has been "ignored for too long" by Government and senior gardai.

He told Dublin Live: "Tonight's violence in Cherry Orchard must serve as a wake-up call to the Government and senior gardai. This community has been ignored for too long. It urgently needs resources and support to tackle this lawlessness.

"Tonight robbed cars terrorised Cherry Orchard residents from early evening. When gardai arrived, their car was rammed a number of times and had to leave the scene.

"The cars continued to be driven recklessly on the road and were then burnt out in the local park. This was a terrifying ordeal for local residents.

"This nightly violence has to come to an end. Garda Assistant Commissioner for Dublin Angela Willis must deploy extra Gardaí and resources to Ballyfermot. Otherwise, I am deeply concerned this great community will be abandoned to a very small group of criminals."

A Garda spokesperson said: "Shortly after 7:30pm this evening, Monday 19th September 2022, Gardaí responded to reports of dangerous driving in the Cherry Orchard area. Upon arrival Gardaí observed two vehicles driving erratically. Both vehicles failed to stop when requested to do so by Gardaí and one vehicle collided with an official Garda vehicle. No injuries were reported during the incident.

"Gardaí are appealing to any member of the public who may have witnessed this incident to come forward. Gardaí are also appealing to anyone who was travelling in the Cherry Orchard area at this time, who may have camera (dash cam) footage to make this available to investigating Gardaí.

"Anyone with any information in relation to this incident should contact Ballyfermot Garda Station on 01 666 7200, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111 or any Garda station.