A newborn baby narrowly avoided injury from a banger that was posted through a letterbox in Palmerstown last weekend.
Sinn Fein is calling for extra Gardai to deal with what it says is a 'constant barrage' of fireworks every night.
The party says the number of community based officers has plummeted by over half in the last ten years.
Dublin Mid West TD Mark Ward says people in the area don't understand the damage bangers can do:
"A family were at home at night and people put a banger through the letterbox of the house in Palmerstown that landed very close to the child."
"It could have closed untold damage."
"Whether the family were there or not, the house could have gone up on fire."
"I don't think people understand the dangers of fireworks at the moment and the impact that it's having on our community. "
So some dude’s out there letting off fireworks 🧨 🤷🏻♀️
I know I’ve lost track of time but it’s surely not Halloween, right?— Anne-Marie McNally (@amomcnally) May 9, 2020
There's A "Constant Barrage" of Fireworks Every Night
Minister McEntee explained the potential consequences for someone who is found to be breaking the law in the Dáil yesterday.
"As for what the Garda can do, examples of the penalties faced include a fine of up to €10,000 and up to five years' imprisonment if convicted of having fireworks in one's possession with intent to sell or supply."
"Igniting fireworks or throwing an ignited firework at a person or property is also liable to severe penalty."
Deputy Ward says there aren't enough Gardaí on the beat to enforce that though:
"If the legislation is strong enough, then it's obviously a Garda resourcing problem."
"Since 2010 the number of Commuity Guards in the Dublin region has dropped by 55%."
"That's not good enough and it's having a direct impact on our communities."
"At the moment there seems to be a sate of lawlessness, and it's not just Dublin Mid-West."
"I've been speaking to my colleagues, it's right across Dublin and my colleagues are having the same issues in their constituencies across the country too."
