SkyCourt to stamp out unruly teen behaviour

FOLLOWING consultation with local businesses and the gardaí, SkyCourt Shannon is attempting to eliminate what it calls “a new phenomenon of unruly behaviour by a small minority of disruptive teenagers, which has been creeping into the shopping centre since early new year”.

SkyCourt manager Pat Kelly said a small minority of people can’t be allowed to cause problems. “Shannon has always been a pleasant, safe place to walk around and shop. SkyCourt is unique as a shopping centre in that it is in essence, the town. We want our shoppers – locals and visitors alike – to leave with a good impression of the town and of our efforts to increase the range and types of shops in the centre. We cannot allow a very small group of idle teenagers with little else to do but roam in groups around the centre creating noise and disturbance, to give the shopping centre and the town a bad name. We want young people to come to SkyCourt but for the right reasons, to shop, and we continually encourage them to do so by adding shops that appeal to and cater for all ages and all needs.

“We have already increased our own security in the centre to nip this new problem in the bud before it has a chance to escalate. We have closed two levels of parking as a temporary measure to ensure we can monitor any unruly behaviour in the internal car parks. We have had discussions with Shannon gardaí, including their community officer and sergeant, on increased garda foot presence at certain times of the week, as is the norm in most town centres and our businesses keep a watchful eye on any disturbance to report and action it as speedily as possible. We are delighted with the positive response we have received from An Garda Síochána.”

He said SkyCourt has a lot to offer and people shouldn’t be deterred from coming by a small element. “We have over 60 top-quality businesses in the centre including Dunnes, Lidl and Dealz, who collectively work very hard to create an appealing shopping experience for our customers. Footfall is increasing, the retail and service outlets offer choice and value to customers, we have introduced free parking and free wi-fi and continually strive to make SkyCourt more visitor friendly. We want to be part of making Shannon a better place to live, work and shop. That’s why we want to eliminate undesirable behaviour in SkyCourt.”

A spokesman for Shannon gardaí said they will be making extra efforts to patrol SkyCourt on Thursday, Friday and Saturday evenings. He said that problems had increased in recent weeks and that gardaí have already identified some of the troublemakers.