GANGS OF YOUTHS in south Dublin are demanding ‘protection money’ from local residents for the safety of their cars overnight.

The menacing crimes are happening in the Crumlin-kimmage area with some residents being forced to park their cars overnight at Crumlin Garda Station to ensure their safety.

Local Fianna Fáil councillor Catherine Ardagh said she had contacted gardaí following several reports of incidents where locals have been asked to pay €50 to gangs to ensure the wellbeing of their vehicles.

The incidents have been happening since early August.

“Essentially we are seeing brazen criminals threaten residents into paying them not to vandalise or steal their cars,” said Ardagh.

It’s happening on a nightly basis in some cases. It’s causing great distress among many local residents who are not only afraid to leave their cars outside their own homes, they are now fearful of their own safety.

Catherine Ardagh

The people responsible have been inflicting actual damage on some cars to strengthen their position it seems, with one resident having her windscreen smashed overnight just days after one of her wing mirrors was ripped off.

Youths who have been drinking on the streets locally at night-time appear to be those responsible for the menaces.

“I’ve contacted the local gardaí and I am assured that the Superintendent is taking this very seriously,” said Ardagh.

We cannot allow a situation where criminal thugs are threatening ordinary residents on a daily basis.

This is the lowest form of pathetic criminality.

157 cars were reported stolen in the Dublin South Garda Division in the first three months of this year according to Ardagh, those these figures don’t reflect the levels of vandalism or threats in the area.