Early last year the Gardai warned us that the downturn in the economy would result in an upturn in crime.

We have been informed of a number of burglaries in the area. In one incident, thieves got in through an upstairs window, while the owners were downstairs watching a DVD. The owners heard something and went upstairs; the thieves fled.

In another incident, the thieves climbed a ladder to disconnect the external alarm box.

St Mochta's Parish has been informed of a gang of burglars who are operating in the area and who specialise in daytime house burglaries.

Please keep your property secure, closing windows. Use your alarm when you are out during the day and also at night (most will have a mode that allows you move around inside the house without setting the alarm off).

We reported late last week that the arrival of the second playground swing was imminent. It was installed first thing this morning.

So, after an eight week wait, the wait time for a go on the swing will be considerably reduced. These new swings should last us for a good few years.

We have been informed of a dangerous situation with a man hole cover on the open space area at Riverwood Chase/Copse, close to the playground.

The concrete surrounds to the man hole cover have recently broken and there is the possibility that the hole underneath the man hole cover will be exposed.

We have reported the issue, including photos, to Fingal County Council Parks and Water Services Departments and to Castlethorn Construction.

While we wait for a response from them, please take extra care in the vicinity of the man hole cover.

UPDATE: FCC Water Services surveyed the cover early Friday afternoon and did some work on it later in the afternoon. The job will be completed on Monday. The committee appreciates the rapid response of the Water Services Department.

The Gardaí have asked us to remind residents that most, if not all, of charity clothes collection are fradulent. Collected clothes are sold for export and the profits are not given to charity, contrary to the claims on their leaflets.

The leaflets are generally distributed in the very early hours of the morning (4am - 7am) and the leaflet distributors can use this as an opportunity to check out houses with a view to later burglary.

If you see any vehicles that are looking for charity clothing bags, please note the registration plate details and pass them onto us. The Gardaí will stop and examine such vehicles - they often do not have tax/insurance/NCT or collection permits.

If you have unwanted clothing, please consider depositing it at yellow container in Coolmine Recycling Centre or a similar container at Superquinn shopping centre.

Adult tennis lessons will be held at the Sycamore Avenue Courts and will commence on Wednesday 12th May.  Registration will be taken on the night or you can join in at a later date if you can not make date.

These lessons will be at 7.00pm for Beginners and 8.00pm for Improvers. The duration of the coaching programme is for 10 weeks. The cost is €25.

As for the childrens' tennis lessons, these are provided in conjunction with Fingal County Council.

Also, the Carpenterstown Tennis Club will be holding an open day on Sunday 16th May at the Sycamore Avenue Courts so if you would like to find out more come along and meet some of your neighbours who have been enjoying the lessons and activities over the last year.

We will be hosting our AGM on Thursday 22nd April at 8pm in St, Patrick's National School.

All residents are invited to attend and highlight what they want from the Residents Association and the issues that concern them.

The committee will be distributing our Spring Newsletter this weekend. You can view it here.