Fireworks in Dublin North-West

Recently in the Dáil, I raised the issue of illegal fireworks in Dublin North-West. Time and time again I hear from people across the constituency about the impact this has on families at this time of year.

I raised this question with Niall Collins, Minister of State at the Department of Justice, who outlined the Gardaí's Operation Tombola that aims to tackle this ongoing issue.

Operation Tombola combats the importation, sale and distribution of illegal fireworks through intelligence-led operations, visits to local car boot sales, searches and seizures of fireworks, as well as focusing on preventing associated public disorder and anti-social behaviour.

While the prevalence of illegal fireworks might have decreased in recent years as a result of Garda plans such as Operation Tombola, I believe that more work may be needed in this space, particularly on the fines for those caught with fireworks for use or sale.

I encourage anybody in the city to come to either the Finglas Fright Night or the Ballymun Otherworld festival this Halloween. They are fantastic family-fun events packed with culture and lots of local community celebrations.