COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

MEETING OF JOINT POLICING COMMITTEE

Friday, November 21, 2008

QUESTION NO.

QUESTION: Councillor C. O'Connor, TD

To ask the Manager to present a report on the success of efforts to curtail vandalism in respect of the recent Halloween Bonfire Season; will he detail actions taken in the matter and will he make a statement.

REPLY:

Each year the County Council makes strenuous efforts to curtail the level of vandalism and damage associated with the Halloween Bonfire Season. In this regard local residents are requested to aggregate the smaller bonfires into larger units so that the damage to open space areas is minimised. With this in mind and on the basis of a preliminary assessment of the situation carried out since Halloween, there appears to have been a significant reduction in the overall number of unauthorised bonfires on open space areas in South Dublin compared to previous years.

As a way of encouraging pro-social activity in the County, organised bonfires are held in West Tallaght and North Clondalkin  and these were well supported by local residents, Estate Management, Community Services, Parks, Gardai, Civil Defence and the Fire Brigade.  The events this year in both areas proved to be very successful.It is considered that the existing approach, adopted in South Dublin, which involves working closely with local communities, Gardaí, Civil Defence, Estate Management and Youth Services to encourage greater control and management of bonfires is the best approach at this time, in curtailing vandalism and anti-social activity associated with Halloween.  Both events generated a huge amount of good will within each community.

Clondalkin Community Bonfire

The Moorfield Environment Group organised and advertised this event in partnership with the Council, local agencies and the local community. The group enlisted the help of 22 volunteers for the event, doubling the volunteer involvement on 2007.  The MEG created a number of safe crossing points and arranged for fire marshals to man the event. MEG also organised a raffle, judging the fancy dress competition as well as funding monetary prizes in support of their anti-litter campaign.

Four  community gardai attended on the night to support the local community, to maintain law and order and to respond to any incidences that may have arisen, thankfully the gardai were not called upon in this context. The presence of the gardai generated good will within the community.  The Civil Defence was on hand with experienced volunteers to man the Fire Truck and Ambulance which was vital for the safety and success of the overall event. The Civil Defence also took charge of quenching the bonfire when the event finished. Ambulance and Fire Engines were on standby throughout the event.

 North Clondalkin Community Safety Forum actively promoted the event and organised a range of community activities earlier on the day. RAPID provided funding for the fancy dress prizes Ronanstown Youth Service actively engaged with local youths before and throughout the event providing assistance on the night. The Council’s Housing Estate Management Team co-ordinated the event and provided funding for services on the night including security lighting and provision of skips. The Council’s Litter Warden also actively engaged with the community.

 Tallaght Community Bonfire

 Following on from the success of last year, a Community bonfire was held at Drumcairn Ave/drive on Halloween night, Oct 31. The bonfire was organised by the Council’s Parks and Estate Management Section in conjunction with Tallaght Gardai; Civil Defence and Fettercairn Residents Committee.

 A fancy dress disco was held in the local community centre on the afternoon of the bonfire – 350 children (under l2’s) attended.  Face painters and balloon makers were present, goodie bags were provided for all the kids – this event was jointly organised by the Fettercairn Residents Committee and staff from the local community centre.

 Residents were invited to donate wood for the bonfire. The bonfire was enclosed within barriers located near fire hydrants with permission to connect to them if required.  A safety plan was prepared and stewards were identifiable by high visibility jackets.

 The bonfire was lit at 5.30p.m by a local Drumcairn resident.  Entertainment at the bonfire included 8 drummers and tom-tom players with a human cartwheel organised by DTE entertainment.

 SDCC’s objective for the event was to focus community efforts on reducing the number of bonfires in the Fettercairn area  in favour of one larger community  bonfire properly supervised and managed primarily in the interest of public safety but also to reduce the cost on the local authority of effecting clean ups consequent on individual bonfires across the community.

Preventative measures

 The Council’s Housing, Parks and Cleansing Units, with the support of local gardai, adopted a proactive approach to ensuring all stock piled material prior to Halloween was removed from circulation material as possible out of circulation.