https://www.dublinlive.ie/news/dublin-news/gardai-gangs-howth-teens-dublin-20206703Three 'aggressive' teens arrested as Gardai challenged during heated row on Howth golf courseThe trio are feared to be part of gangs who have taken over the area in recent weeksBy Robbie Kane
12:16, 22 MAR 2021 UPDATED 12:17, 22 MAR 2021
Three 'aggressive' teens were arrested after challenging Gardai during a heated row on one of Dublin's finest golf courses last week.
Deer Park Golf Club in Howth was destroyed by gangs of yobs as anti-social behaviour in the area continues to escalate.
A number of youngsters were arrested on the golf course at around 4pm last Wednesday after locals made reports to officers.
On arrival at the course, Gardaí observed a number of people fleeing the scene before confronting some of the group.
A Garda spokesman told Dublin Live: "Three male teenagers became aggressive towards officers and they were arrested and taken to Raheny Garda Station."
"All three were later released and will be dealt with by way of the Youth Diversion Programme."
These gangs have been trespassing on the area in recent weeks, bringing in scramblers and motorbikes that have torn into the grass leaving multiple tyre marks which have impacted the beautiful golf playing surface.
Some greens on the picturesque course have also been damaged by the pouring and burning of petrol on them which has left the owners in total dismay.
Photos of the incidents have emerged showing the horrendous aftermath of this ongoing destruction.
Alan Staunton head of PGA Professional from Deer Park told us: "This has been going on since the lockdown but it's getting a lot worse.
"As the days are getting longer and the schools are closed, over the last couple of weeks It's happening more times than ever and the damage is getting more severe.
"People are pouring petrol on the greens and setting fire to them as well as using golf clubs to pick up big clumps from them.
"There are people on motorbikes and bicycles driving all around the golf course, they are getting building waste from all different sites, bringing it onto the golf course and having bonfires.
"The more people we have on or side from locals to golfers getting the message out there to make it stop, the better.
"They will be our eyes and ears to end this before the golf season kicks off in a few weeks' time.
"As a lot of people are coming onto the green through the woods near Offington in Sutton, we have made the residents from there aware and showed them the evidence of the damage.
"We need them to help us and keep a lookout too.
"The owners are great, there are 110 acres and they have no problem with people coming onto the property walking their dogs etc. We want them just to keep off the golf course away from the golfers and for their own health and safety and insurance reasons as well.
"Thankfully the Gardaí are now aware of what is happening and are doing constant extra patrols."
Garden furniture and goalposts left on Deer Park Golf Club
Deer Park's owners Tetrarch also released a statement in which they thanked Gardai for their support and urged the public to help them combat the "senseless acts of a small number of vandals"..
They said: "We are incredibly disappointed at the wave of anti-social behaviour and the acts of vandalism that we have experienced at Howth Estate recently. Groups trespassing on scramblers are damaging the Estate’s precious parkland and woodland areas and risk causing a serious injury to themselves and / or to the many families that walk the relevant areas of the Estate frequently.
"In addition, a number of greens on the golf course have been mindlessly damaged by the pouring and burning of petrol. This will likely impact the playability of certain greens as and when we are allowed to reopen the course for play by our valued members and guests.
"We have informed Gardai of the challenges we have been facing on the Estate for some time and are very grateful for the support they continue to provide.
"We also appreciate the support we have received from members of the local community who share our disdain for the senseless acts of a small number of vandals. We would ask all visitors to the Estate to be vigilant and to assist us in any way you can in combating this behaviour.
"Maintaining public access to the Estate from a range of different entry points has been a key commitment of ours since taking ownership and remains a key commitment.
"We cannot and will not let the behaviour of a small minority impede the ongoing enjoyment that the local community takes from their access to and use of our wonderful Estate."
