Gardai are investigating after a CCTV system worth thousands of euro was rammed by a stolen truck in Cherry Orchard.
It happened on Monday night close to an estate where modular homes are being built for homeless people. The truck was reversed into the metal pole which has been left uprooted by the impact. The camera system is on top of the pole and it monitors the construction site.
Dublin City Council installed the CCTV and one local source said it's worth around €100,000. No arrests have been made and gardai are investigating. Last December, a construction worker at the same construction site narrowly avoided injury when his digger was set on fire.
Local Sinn Fein councillor Daithi Doolan has condemned this latest incident describing it as dangerous, sinister and unacceptable: "My own view for what it’s worth is that there is a tiny element, like in any community, who do not want progress and don’t want to see the community grow, develop and strengthen.
They do not want to see an improved quality of life for people. They have their own alternative movements There’s a criminal element to this because nobody can get their hands on an articulated truck that quickly. They wanted to remove the CCTV that is obviously doing its job and they see it as a threat.’’
He added: "I’m certainly not for turning. I will continue to work with the community to make sure we build the homes and improve the community. 99.9% of people in Cherry Orchard are hard-working people who want to improve the quality of life for everyone here. I would appeal to those involved to cease the activity and to make sure Cherry Orchard is a safe community for everyone.’"
