Terrified senior citizens living in a gated apartment complex have said they’re “so afraid” after a man was stabbed to death in one of the flats.
The victim, who was named locally as David Ennis and in his late 30s, was attacked in Ballyfermot, Dublin, in the early hours yesterday. A woman in her 40s was arrested in relation to the stabbing and was being quizzed last night at Clondalkin Garda Station under Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act.
The horror incident took place in Claddagh Court. Dublin Live understands the pensioner who owns the property was in the apartment at the time of the stabbing. Gardai and emergency services raced to the scene shortly after 2.30am yesterday. Paramedics treated the victim at the scene but he was pronounced dead a short time later.
Read more: Man stabbed to death in Ballyfermot old folks apartment named locally
His body was removed shortly before 11.30am after gardai from the Technical Bureau carried out an examination of the scene. Locals said drug users were regularly spotted in the complex.
Chairman of the Claddagh Court resident’s committee Mick White said there have been issues with anti-social behaviour in the complex for a while. He added: “I’ve reported it to Dublin City Council for the last three years. They haven’t done a thing about it. They were told at the last meeting this would happen.
“I was shocked when I heard about it. One of my sons rang me to tell me about it. I didn’t know what was happening.” Tommy Gannon, who also lives in Claddagh Court, said: “I knew there was something wrong when I woke up this morning and I saw the garda tape. It’s gotten worse in the last couple of years.”
Joan Murphy, who has lived in the complex since it opened, said residents are terrified. The 72-year-old told Dublin Live: “It’s not easy living in there. You bolt your door at night and you’re making sure you don’t reopen it.
“If you knocked at my door at night, there’s no way you’re getting an answer. There’s always fighting going on. And if you heard that racket in the sitting room, you’d be wondering who is going to be killed.
“Residents have said for years it will take somebody to be killed and it’s just happened. It’s been like this for years. There’s no security, it’s just not safe. Residents feel unsafe. We’re so afraid.”
Read more: Complaints from neighbours about flat where man was stabbed 'not listened to', councillor claims
Joan said things have gotten so bad she has installed a camera outside her house to feel more secure. She added: “I’ve had to put a camera on my door – at least I know who’s outside my door. There’s no way if you rang my bell after dark that I’d answer the door.”
Fellow resident Eileen, 78, added: “This has frightened me, I’m going to keep my door locked from now on. I just heard this morning, I got a fright naturally. I’m a nervous person. I’d be afraid.”
Independent Councillor Vincent Jackson, who was at the scene yesterday, said he was “absolutely shocked”. When contacted by Dublin Live, Dublin City Council told us: “Dublin City Council is aware of an incident at its Claddagh Court Older Persons Housing Complex last night. An Garda Siochana is currently investigating the circumstances. Dublin City Council is not making any further comment at this time.”
In a statement, gardai said: “Shortly after 2.30am gardai and Emergency Services attended at a flat in Claddagh Court, Ballyfermot, where a man aged in his late 30s was found with an apparent stab wound. The injured man was treated at the scene by Emergency Services personnel but was pronounced dead a short time later.”
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