"Terrifying" gang violence has led to a TD calling for a Dublin city centre bridge to be lifted at night.
Sinn Fein TD Chris Andrews told Dublin Live that the gang fights, which happen almost every night, involves golf clubs, bats, knives and even swords - and leaves many elderly residents afraid to leave their homes at nighttime.
One local told Dublin Live he used to cross the bridge after dark on walks with his dog but has stopped since the violence intensified.
Gangs from the north side and south side congregate on either side of the Sean O'Casey Bridge and run across the bridge to attack each other with weapons.
One resident said: "Last night there must have been a hundred kids from everywhere on both sides of the bridge. It happens nearly every night - north side versus south side. There is usually around 80 of them.
"Last night they had knives, golf clubs and everything. About three weeks ago, they were throwing bottles and the whole bridge had to be cleaned by a machine to clear the glass"
They added: "There are people who are afraid to go over the bridge. I used to go over the bridge at night time with my dog but now you wouldn't. You'd be afraid for your life.
"There was even a fella with a huge sword last night. Like a big huge sword or something. It has been like that for months and even last year."
Locals have given up on the gardai putting a stop to the violence, with one saying they "don't care".
The bridge can swivel on two stands on the river bed to allow boats to pass. The bridge was unable to open for many years because the remote operate it was lost.
Mr Andrews told Dublin Live Dublin City Council should raise the bridge at nighttime to stop the fighting.
He said: "What I am suggesting is, that bridge can be opened up to allow boats to pass it. There are two stands in the middle that allow it to swivel open. I am saying they should close it by opening it in the evenings.
"That would work as a circuit breaker to prevent ongoing violence that is happening and is being inflicted on local residents. It is quite an elderly population there and clearly it is not being tackled in the way it needs to be because it is continually happening."
Mr Andrews also called for "more" garda resources to tackle the issue.
He said: "There are gangs running past them and they are being intimated. They are afraid to go out because there are people carrying knives, bats and everything.
"It is gangs from the North fighting with gangs from the south side. While there are locals involved there are also people coming in from further a field just for the fight.
"It is terrifying for residents and I am saying they should open that bridge in the evenings as a circuit breaker.
When asked if the gangs would go to the nearby Samuel Beckett Bridge if it was closed, Mr Andrews said that "could happen" but we can only respond to where it is happening.
There has been gang violence in the area for some time and last year a teenager was stabbed on the nearby Samuel Beckett Bridge in a clash of rival factions.
A spokesman for the gardai said: "Gardaí responded to a public order incident involving a large group of teens on the Sean O’Casey Bridge at Custom House Quay, Dublin, yesterday evening, 21st February 2022.
"Gardaí attended and the group fled the scene. Patrols of the area were conducted and a number of weapons were recovered. No arrests were made. Investigations are ongoing."
Dublin Live have contacted Dublin City Council for comment.
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