Cars headed for the scrapheap should not be ending up in the hands of joyriders.
That's according to Socialist Party councillor Michael O'Brien, who said young people were getting their hands on cars for as little as 50 euro.
Last night Dublin Fire Brigade crews from Kilbarrack tackled two car fires in in the Darndale area.
Firefighters from Kilbarrack Fire Station have extinguished two separate car fires at Ferrycarrig and Belcamp. Water reacting with certain metals can cause some impressive fireworks. Our PPE and experience protects us from injury as a result of the explosion. pic.twitter.com/1W8VEkWgjh
— Dublin Fire Brigade (@DubFireBrigade) February 8, 2019
It follows a three-car blaze that partially blocked the nearby Malahide Road last weekend.
Councillor O'Brien said the problem needs to be cut off at source.
"In the very recent weeks, yes, there's been an uptick in incidents of joyriding -- actually prior to that things had settled down considerably," he said.
"One of the reasons that we need to explore is the availability on a kind of a black market of second-hand cars for as little as €50 -- cars at the end of their lifespan, that are being bought deliberately for joyriding."
"Security measures that exist in cars nowadays mean it's very difficult to rob a car and joyride it as such. If that market was dealt with it would be a large measure in dealing with the situation."
Councillor O'Brien added that community initiatives in Darndale were doing a lot to keep young people on the right path.
"There's really good work going on in that community, particularly on the part of Darnale United. They've had a massive upsurge in people signing up locally -- young people, people of all ages and all footballing abilities as well."
"There's big efforts going on to try and divert young people away from joyriding activity and it is getting some success -- unfortunately it can be overshadowed when you have a couple of incidents in quick succession," he said.
