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PEOPLE ARE BEING warned of the significant distress fireworks can cause vulnerable people, particularly elderly people and those with sensory issues, along with animals, in the lead up to Halloween.
Minister of State James Browne launched an awareness campaign today urging against the misuse of fireworks, alongside An Garda Síochána, the ISPCA, Irish Guide Dogs for the Bllind and Dublin Fire Brigade.
This year’s campaign focusses on the significant distress that fireworks can cause vulnerable people in our communities.
Fireworks can also cause great harm and stress to family pets, guide dogs and assistance dogs.
As of 17 September, 38 fireworks incidents have been recorded by An Garda Síochána this year.
In total last year, 158 such incidents were recorded.
“As we head into the run-up to Halloween, I would like to urge everyone to refrain from purchasing or using illegal fireworks,” Browne said.
“When misused, they are a nuisance to our communities, but they can also have a detrimental impact on the wellbeing of some more vulnerable groups, particularly the elderly and people with sensory challenges,” he said.
Speaking at the Dublin Fire Brigade Training Centre in Marino this afternoon, Browne said: “We know how many people can be seriously injured, losing fingers, losing limbs and losing other parts of themselves every year.”
Browne noted that the use of fireworks is a “very serious criminal offence” and that “people can face up to five years imprisonment and heavy fines”.
“We’re asking people once again, please don’t use these fireworks. They are dangerous.”
The Minister added: “These are explosives, they can do real damage.”
Tim O’Mahoney, chief executive of the Irish Guide Dogs for the Blind, said in a statement that every year his team is “faced with the heartbreak of seeing guide dogs and assistance dogs traumatised from the impact of fireworks”.
“Whilst our dogs are highly trained to cope with many situations, if a dog has an experience that goes beyond a normal level of stress, such as a firework exploding close to them, this can overly sensitise the dogs, similar to PTSD in humans,” he said.
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Last year or years when the Guards searched houses where fireworks were stored or sold, everytime they also found illegal drugs. So what are they waiting this year? You see someone using fireworks in public, mandatory imediat house search.
For the past week, lots of firecrackers and small bombs in Ballyfermot and Inchicore, but no Gardai, no city councillors, no one is doing anything.
@Chris: ‘small bombs’
This is it. They don’t sound like a few bangers going off. It sounds like a war zone at times in my estate. Even with headphones on you can hear the bloody things and feel the vibration. They’re insanely loud.
God I hate fireworks season. Anyone remotely on edge hates this time of the year. So many are big balls of anxiety at this stage anyway dealing with the non-stop stress, worry and grind of life right now. I feel so sorry for all the terrified animals too. Absolutely nothing gets done about it of course. It completely ruins this time of the year which could be a nice, peaceful, reflective transition from summer into the darker months. Not usually a fan of banning things or coming down too hard on things that are banned but this 100% affects other people and creatures so a massive down with this sort of thing from me.
@SerotoninWars: Agree totalling.Thankfully I don’t live too close to the areas that are rampant with them.
@uUleRhCu: Enjoy the peace! :)
I’m not in favour generally of banning anything as I believe in freedom of choice but fireworks and bonfires unless in a controlled areas with professionals on stand by should be banned. Every year there’s horror stories about animals being tortured. Funny, I don’t care so much about the humans – they have a choice.
@Ali123: 100%.
People are complex for sure. But if you are happy to torture and inflict cruelty on animals I don’t need to know a single other thing about you. You’re a psychopath. It would break your heart the things people do for their savage kicks. What is wrong with people?
Tell the bottom feeders it’s ok to use the fireworks and they won’t
Yet they aren’t ‘for sale’ in the republic.
Mmmmm interesting.
Genuine question. Considering the article mentions up to 5 year sentence and heavy fines, has anyone been jailed or fined heavily?
@Ciaran: no, like in so many other areas, law is not enforced, sadly.
@Ciaran: No. I’m thankfully out of North Inner City Dublin this year but for the past few years, firework season starts in July there.
AGS are too afraid to approach the lovely youth around the Dorset/ Parnell Street area but it’s ok that innocent and vulnerable members of the Public are exposed to this. Had one chucked at my face on O’Connell Street this time last year in broad daylight.
My heart goes out to the elderly in that area… the lovely youth have ZERO respect. I’m honestly morto to be a Dub. Stupid comment I know- one I never thought I’d make.
Let them off . Let the sc um bags burn and harm themselves and don’t give them any medical treatment . Only intervene if they use the gear on people’s property , animals and other people , then when caught set off a few bangers and fireworks and attachment them to the sc u m bags
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