‘These rocks are huge. If they hit you in the head, they could kill you’ – distressed local residents
Homes which back onto the main freight line between East Wall and Ballybough have suffered damage to windows and parked cars.
Local resident Eoin Fitzpatrick had his windows smashed three times by gangs of youths who have been throwing stones towards his home.
His mother’s car windscreen was also damaged.
“It was probably the start of October when we started hearing something banging off the front window,” he said.
“We were away, and when we came back, the window in the kitchen was smashed. The Friday before last, I was in the living room, and rocks just started bouncing off all the windows. Eventually, one of the windowpanes went through.
“Last Sunday, it went crazy. It was 3pm in broad daylight, and they were just indiscriminately lashing rocks at any windows they could reach from the bridge.
“There was a woman parked in our area, and I heard her screaming because rocks were coming down at her, and her car was damaged. She couldn’t get out of the corner; she was really distressed.
The damage caused to a car’s windscreen after youths launched rocks from a nearby railway
“These rocks are huge – if they hit you in the head, they could kill you.
“We feel like we can’t do anything and feel completely exposed and helpless. These kids are totally fearless – they wear balaclavas and film it on their phones, so I’m not sure if it’s some sort of TikTok challenge,” he added.
Residents in the area have contacted An Garda Síochána and Irish Rail regarding the damage being caused by the rock-throwing incidents from the railway line.
There was also a similar situation for an elderly couple living on the West Road, who had their windows smashed by the same rock-throwing back in April.
The gangs are on the viaduct, the raised section of the railway, and are lobbing rocks at houses.
One resident, who wished to remain anonymous, said while gardaí have “tried their best”, they don’t think much can be done unless the young people are caught in the act.
“There are people behind these windows – elderly people, kids, babies, and people sitting down having their tea – and then a rock comes crashing down on them, with glass everywhere,” they said.
“There have been countless cases over the last few months where this has happened.”
Social Democrats councillor Daniel Ennis, who lives in the area, said residents are “really frightened by this”.
“You can see the damage done to the cars and houses along Strandville,” he said.
“Someone is going to get killed. If it’s not by one of the rocks being thrown, it will be one of the youths throwing the rocks, getting hit by a train.
A broken window at the home overlooked by the railway track in North Strand
“Irish Rail needs to do better in securing the sites through which these youths are gaining easy entry.
“I understand it’s a large geographical area to cover, but it’s their land.
“This will require help, and I know they have been engaging with the local authorities and the gardaí, but more must be done.
“Firstly, to stop anyone gaining access to the tracks, and then to prevent the tracks from being used as an easy vantage point for throwing rocks at cars and nearby houses,” he added.
A spokesperson for Irish Rail said: “Iarnród Éireann immediately responded to these issues as follows: 24-hour monitoring station continuously in place at Iarnród Éireann’s compound on Ossory Road; repeated checks to Iarnród Éireann’s boundaries from Ossory Road up to and including Northbrook Avenue Lower; New palisade fencing will be placed along the boundary from Northbrook Avenue Lower to Strandville Avenue.
“Our Crime Prevention Officer has alerted An Garda Síochána and we are liaising with them to arrange additional patrols in the Strandville Avenue, Northbrook Avenue and West Road areas.
“All trains drivers are to report sightings of trespass and our regional team will respond upon alerts.
“Iarnród Éireann staff will continue to liaise with the community in these areas and will promptly address any breaches of boundary fencing that is inspected by staff or any incidents of trespass, and liaise with gardaí on prevention and response,” they added.
Gardaí have been contacted for comment.
