“We have waited too long; we desperately need the department to fund this,” says Shay L’Estrange, coordinator with Ballyfermot Traveller Action Project.
But some local councillors say just reopening the station is not enough – the area needs more gardaí to staff it, and to walk the beat in the neighbourhood.
Fianna Fáil politicians have proposed a development authority for the area, which, they say, would put promises made in recent years on a firmer footing.
A government-backed effort to regenerate the area has been asking big firms at the International Financial Services Centre to hire locally. So far, it’s had limited success.
The government promised €5 million a year for three years to address the area’s troubles, based on the Mulvey report’s recommendations. Community groups say this doesn’t go far enough.
