Meeting between the Tyrrelstown Indian Community and the Community Gardaí 5th November 2008

On the 5th of November 2008 there was a meeting held in the local school between members of the local Indian community and the Community Gardaí. The meeting had been arranged by Ignatius Okafor and the gardaí on behalf of a local Indian resident who has been subject to a number of harrowing incidents. In addition to the Indian community Iggy invited along representatives of the Tyrrelstown Neighbourhood Watch.

These local residents then spoke of frankly quite shocking incidents of harassment and anti social behaviour directed against them, frequently in their own homes but also in public areas. These range from youths drinking/drug-taking right outside their homes to acts of criminal damage against their homes and cars.

Despite the many legitimate grievances they had, both regarding the incidents themselves and the Garda response to it the meeting was conducted in an orderly and civilised manner. The Gardaí were very open and took on board a number of criticisms and were very impressed with both Iggy for organising the meeting and the local residents for attending and putting across their grievances so well.

Many were unaware of their rights and how to approach the Gardaí regarding these incidents and were very pleased at the Garda response to this, especially the personal assurances of the Garda Sergeant in charge of community policing that they could contact him or the Community Gardaí. Also Ignatius Okafor assured any residents that they could contact him and he would deal with the Gardaí on their behalf as he has done numerous times already.

The meeting finished on a positive note with all sides happy that progress had been made.

Thanks are due to Ignatius Okafor for organising the meeting, the local community Gardaí and Sergeant, and especially to all members of the Indian community for attending.