The people of Finglas have hit back at a horrific attack on children with disabilities at the start of the week and have defended the area that they call home.
And big-hearted locals came together with volunteers yesterday to help clean up the Meeting Place Club after vandals destroyed their allotments and gear.
The big clean-up was followed by an Easter Egg hunt at the centre which was described as a great success.
On Monday, a gang of youths threw 'stones, bricks and bottles at young people with disabilities before burning their equipment.
The thugs had been terrorising and targeting the group Meeting Place Club (MPAC) for weeks previous and had even attacked volunteers from the club.
Finglas was scrutinised following the attack but locals have stood up to the negative comments about the area saying that the attack does not fairly mirror the area or its people.
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Stephen Higgins said: "This isn't the Finglas I used to know or grow up in and would not be tolerated 20 years ago."
Another local, Bernie Cleary added: "The people of Finglas are disgusted. This is not a true reflection of us.
Maggie Farrell said that it was just a handful of teens causing problems in the area - but added that there was far more for young people to do than when she was a child.
She said: "There is a huge problem with teens in our area too I can't say all teens are the same because I know good teens.
"It's just teens out to cause trouble that tar every teen with the same brush."
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She added: "There is more things out there for teens to do [nowadays] than what we had growing up even.
"We had a different respect for Finglas back then than some do now."
Keith L'Estrange concluded: "I love living in Finglas but these people are scum and bring the name of the town down."
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Sandra Dilon, who is a volunteer with MPAC, described the horror attack on Monday night: "They broke in at 10 o’clock and broke the locks and destroyed some equipment that we store from the clubs there.
"The container was set on fire and the group rained down bricks at us."
She added: "One lad in a grey hoodie ran through the broken fence and threw a large brick at two individuals from DCU who came to do a site visit for a project they planned for the allotments in the summer.
"It’s just horrible and so so upsetting."
Local activist Bernie Hughes, who was at Good Friday's clean-up and Easter Egg hunt, paid tribute to all who had helped out.
She said: "Yesterday I attended the Easter egg hunt in the Meeting Place Allotment in Finglas south.
"I would like to thank Sandra Dillon, Rachel Starrs and all the workers, volunteers and the Finglas community who came to support Sandra, the parents and not forgetting the children and teenagers who avail of this wonderful Club.
"A special word of thanks to the men who volunteer at the Club - Sandra and the children would be lost without your help. Thanks to Dougie, Joe and Dessie for your work yesterday."
Bernie also had a few things to say to the cowards who attacked the club and its staff and members.
She added: "A special word to those young people who have caused trouble by throwing stones and bottles at the people in the club.
"Stop, think about what you're doing - it's not cool. Come help Sandra, I guarantee you will help yourself to grow if you do."
Let's hope they have the sense to listen to Bernie. Well done to everyone who turned out to help Sandra, Rachel and all the crew.
