Senator Ollie Crowe has this week urged people to contact the gardai if they are aware of people selling or in possession of illegal fireworks as Halloween approaches. Senator Crowe said the dangers posed by illegal fireworks were significant and serious.
He said: “Every year there are serious incidents with these fireworks where people lose fingers, limbs, or in one recent tragic case in Galway, an eye. They are incredibly dangerous and if people are aware of those in possession of or selling them, they should contact the gardai who are currently seeking to crackdown on their use.”
“Obviously they are especially dangerous when used in a reckless fashion but even those who are trying to use them in a responsible manner are at risk as many of those sold illegally are of a poor quality with little safety standards and they pose a considerable risk to those seeking to set them off.”
Senator Crowe adds that the impact the fireworks have on community members should not be overlooked either, stating “They can be incredibly unsettling for people, particularly older people who may be living alone and often feel in fear when they hear this discharge of these fireworks.
He concluded: “Pets are often extremely distressed by fireworks also so I hope people will remember their fellow community members and the impact fireworks may have on them.”
