Dublin Gardai are increasing their presence in one park which nearby residents say is a hotspot for anti-social behaviour and criminal activity.
Locals living close to Corkagh Park in Clondalkin have voiced their concern to members of the force about the issue.
It comes as a councillor for the area claimed that open-air drug dealing in the south Dublin park is at its "worst and most brazen since 1980s".
Sinn Fein's William Carey had called for the immediate presence of additional Gardai to patrol the local amenity so that more young people do not get involved in illegal activity.
He called on the Minister for Justice to allocate more resources to combat what he deemed was drug dealing similar to that which "ravaged inner-city Dublin" four decades ago.
Councillor Carey said: “Drug dealers are acting with apparent impunity and with no fear of the consequences.
“Gardaí are known to have made several arrests, but it appears to have had no affect whatsoever on the trade.
“This is the worst and most brazen level of dealing I have witnessed since the early 1980s when open dealing ravaged inner city Dublin."
He added: “A recent operation by An Garda Siochana drove the dealers off the Grand canal greenway, but they have now moved into the heart of the community in Corkagh Park and are presenting such a problem that the gardaí appear to be struggling to address this now.
“We need more Gardai on the streets and we need them now. If we don’t address this immediately we will be faced with an even bigger problem as young impressionable teenagers see these dealers operate with apparent impunity."
In a statement to the Irish Mirror, Gardai said they were "aware of concerns of local residents in respect of anti-social behaviour and criminal activity on the fringes of Corkagh Park".
"Gardai are working closely with South Dublin County Council and liaison with local resident groups to address these concerns. Increased overt and covert patrols are concentrating in the areas identified in an effort to prevent and disrupt this activity," a spokesperson said.
"Gardai at Clondalkin are committed to ensuring the safety of residents and visitors to the valuable local amenity that is Corkagh Park.
"Information on activity impacting on public safety enjoyment of the amenity should be reported in confidence to Clondalkin Garda Station at 01 6667600, Garda Confidential Line 1800666111 or through 999/112."
