Councillor warns children buying illegal fireworks on Snapchat risk serious injury

Children purchasing illegal fireworks via Snapchat and other social media are at risk of severe injury or death, a Dublin councillor has warned.

Sinn Féin Councillor Dathí Doolan told The Claire Byrne Show that the popularity of fireworks around Halloween does not change the fact that they are banned in the Republic of Ireland, although they are often smuggled across the border.

An Garda Síochána says many buyers are under‑age and use platforms with disappearing messages, such as Snapchat or Telegram, making it difficult for the force to trace sellers.

“Social media gives great opportunities but also huge challenges for us,” Doolan said, adding that adults are the ones buying, distributing and selling the fireworks, while children bear the physical cost.

The councillor highlighted the “very dire consequences” of illegal fireworks, noting they can harm passers‑by, cyclists, joggers, pets and other vulnerable members of the community.

Doolan appealed to adults to keep illegal fireworks away from children and urged parents to discuss the dangers with their youngsters, hoping the Halloween season remains family‑friendly and that no child returns to school with loss of limb or life.

Source: Newstalk. Photo: Robert So / Pexels.