The Public Order Unit was dispatched to the area and the crowd which had gathered were dispersed.
At approximately 10am on the 17/3/08, Gardaí at Finglas started to receive calls about possible dangerous driving incidents and attempted unauthorised takings of cars in the Finglas South area, Dublin.
Each of these calls were dealt with by local personnel.
At approximately 12pm Finglas Uniformed crews dealt with 3 incidents of dangerous driving and 1 incident of an unauthorised taking of a car in the Berryfield Road/Glenties drive area of Finglas.
A car which had been reported in relation to dangerous driving had been set alight and Dublin Fire Brigade attended the scene.
A van which had also been reported in relation to dangerous driving was set alight when a petrol bomb was thrown at it.
Approximately 60 youths had gathered at this time. A a result The Public Order Unit was dispatched to the area and the crowd which had gathered were dispersed and 17 Public Order arrests were made at different times and at different locations during this operation.
Approximately 6 vehicles were removed from the Cardiffsbridge Road and Berryfield Road by Dublin City Council.
At approximately 5.30pm a car was hijacked on Cardiffsbridge Road and another was attempted to be hijacked.
In relation to all incidents above no Gardaí were injured and there are no reports of serious injuries to members of the public.
Personnel from Blanchardstown assisted as did The Garda Air Support Unit.
All matters continue to be investigated.
Garda Press Office
18/3/08
