The Irish Government must support the Northside Community Forum Initiative and engage with the community in Coolock, according to Cian O’Callaghan TD.
Deputy O’Callaghan, who is the Social Democrats’ TD for Dublin Bay North, said:
“Coolock is a great place with terrific sports clubs, organisations and people. It is a welcoming, friendly and very warm community.
“The violence we witnessed recently on the Malahide Road where workers, local residents and emergency services came under attack has no place in our society. Those who preach division, hate and violence have nothing constructive to offer.
“The emergence of proposals from the Northside Community Forum, a network of northside Dublin community groups, is welcome. The Forum is calling for the establishment of a facilitated dialogue that will listen to, engage with, and answer questions from concerned residents.
“Community groups on the ground in Coolock with decades of experience have a key role to play in this.
“This will not be easy work – especially in such a heated environment – but it is vital work that needs to be undertaken.
“I’m calling on the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth and the Taoiseach to back this proposal and put in place measures to ensure it succeeds.
“It is also important that resources are allocated to tackle inequality and deprivation in the area.
“Levels of deprivation in parts of Darndale and Coolock have increased in recent years while the Government has run multi-billion euro budget surpluses. This cannot be allowed to continue.”
July 26, 2024