RESIDENTS of a State-backed housing scheme have told how they are being terrorised by a wild mob out of control teens.
Young thugs broke into the Parkside units in Belmayne, Dublin 13, before smashing car windows and stealing motorcycles between March 22 and March 23.
Nielton Tenório told us that young thugs had damaged an entrance gate of his residential premises[/caption]
Parkside is the First Home Scheme under the ‘Home Building Partnership’ Initiative, offering cost-rental housing to the public, with rental prices ranging from €1,000 to up to €1,700.
But a few months after its launching in September 2024, some residents claim they are “living in a constant state of fear” at the site.
Nielton Tenório, 45, told the Irish Sun that since he moved into the new residential premises last November alongside his wife, groups of teenagers have frequently broken into the community campus, “harassing” residents and leaving them with a feeling of “fear and lack of safety”.
Mr Tenório had just returned from holidays in Brazil when young thugs damaged an entrance gate of his residential premises, stealing one of his motorbikes, which was priced at €5,000.
He said: “I moved in last November, and until then, there were some teenagers who were causing trouble here. I was returning one night when I got home and saw that both gates were broken.
“A night before, they started to lift the covers of the motorcycles to see which one they were going to steal. They stole my motorcycle, and I haven’t been able to get it back yet. It’s my second bike stolen in this country.
“They spent more or less 10 minutes to be able to steal everything. They spent a good amount of time inside [the residential premises], and nobody noticed a single thing.”
A video shared with the Irish Sun shows at least three men pushing two motorbikes through an entrance gate which had been damaged by them.
Another resident – who did not want to be named – told the Irish Sun the young thugs destroyed his car last month.
The 52-year-old moved to Ireland from India two and a half years ago and has been living at the site with his family since February this year.
He said: “I did not expect this type of stuff to happen here because I heard Ireland is quite a safe country.”
“I used to read about these types of incidents in newspapers but, personally, me or my family never experienced this until we moved over here.
“Every day we are living with someone who comes up into the society campus just to disturb [the residents].
‘CONSTANT FEAR’
“I am worried about the fact they are coming into the common areas and it would not take them long to come into the apartments. We are living in a constant fear sort of thing over here.”
The Indian man added that a day later, the mob of out-of-control teens broke into the gate of the society campus to “steal two-wheelers.”
He added: “It looked like it was coming straight from a movie picture or something. I had never imagined this type of stuff where someone would come up, break an enclosed gate, enter into the parking space, steal two or three wheelers and run away with that.
“It took them around two to three days for the gate to be repaired after that incident. It took [the LDA] time because obviously the gate was broken in such a bad situation that it could not be repaired with the existing resources. It was very badly damaged.
‘ALARMING ESCALATION’
Fine Gael councillor Supriya Singh told us she had called for an increase in garda patrols following the “alarming escalation” of antisocial behaviour incidents across Belmayne, Parkside, and Clongriffin.
She said: “I’m acutely aware of the growing frustration and anxiety within the community.
“I’ve been in regular contact with An Garda Siochana and have consistently raised these issues at every available forum, including at the most recent North Central Area Joint Policing Committee (JPC) meeting, where I again called for increased Garda patrols in the area.
‘SENSE OF INSECURITY DEEPLY TROUBLING’
“The reports of property damage, intimidation, and a general sense of insecurity are deeply troubling and cannot be ignored.”
Ms Singh said she was assured that patrols have already been stepped up in identified hotspots after formally requesting an increase in garda presence in affected areas.
She continued: “The Juvenile Liaison Officers confirmed they are actively working through the Youth Diversion Programme to engage young people involved in such behaviour across the region.
“At the JPC meeting, I also raised the role of design and urban planning in preventing antisocial behaviour, especially concerning Belmayne and Parkside Lane.
“As I outlined in my recent community update, consistent reporting of incidents is vital. Every call to 999 helps Gardai build a fuller picture of activity on the ground and enables better allocation of resources.
“I remain committed to working with all stakeholders to push for meaningful and lasting solutions.”
ASSESSMENTS CARRIED OUT
In a statement, an LDA spokesperson said that assessments have been carried out to “determine if further security measures are needed” to prevent further antisocial behaviour incidents.
They added: “The apartments are managed by a property management company and the complex has a number of standard security systems including CCTV and secure entry gates and doors.
“Through its property management company, the LDA is aware of recent incidents involving the theft of and damage to vehicles in addition to damage to an entrance gate.
“These incidents have been reported to the Gardai. When damage occurs to property in the control of the LDA, steps are taken to complete repairs as soon as possible.”
They continued: “Assessments are also carried out to determine if further security measures are needed. In this particular case, the entrance gate has been repaired.
“The tenancy management company at Parkside can be contacted if residents wish to raise any issues or concerns.
“We would urge all residents to report any anti-social or suspicious activity to the Gardai and to the tenancy management company.”#
INVESTIGATIONS ONGOING
A spokesperson for Gardai said investigations into the incidents are ongoing.
They added: “Gardaí are investigating the unauthorised taking of a vehicle that occurred at a residential premises on Belmayne Avenue in Dublin 13 between Saturday 22nd March and Sunday 23rd March 2025.
“Gardaí are [also] investigating an incident of criminal damage to a vehicle that occurred at a residential premises on Belmayne Avenue in Dublin 13 between Saturday 22nd March and Sunday 23rd March 2025.
“Investigations are ongoing.”
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