Fears anti-social behaviour could see Ennis getting ‘bad name’

CONCERN that recent incidences of anti-social behaviour in Ennis, including a house being targeted with a petrol bomb, could lead to the county capital receiving a bad reputation nationally have been expressed.

At this monthly meeting of Ennis Municipal District Councillor Pat Daly urged the public to contact the Garda Confidential line if they see anything suspicious in a bid to stamp out anti-social behaviour.

Councillor Pat Daly insisted “it is important that this type of behaviour is eliminated”.

The councillor commented that Ennis has been getting a “bad name” in recent times due to anti-social behaviour including the petrol bombing and incidences where drugs offences are committed. “The drugs situation is very serious,” he said.

He outlined that from speaking with gardaí he has been told that those who witness illegal activity are often afraid to report it.

“The only way to alleviate this is to ring the garda confidential line,” he said.

The meeting was told that the Ennis Municipal District has written to Ennis Gardaí to request they consider introducing the “See Something, Say Something” scheme, which has been successfully launched in Tralee and Swords. This follows a motion put before last month’s meeting of the council by Councillor Johnny Flynn.

Councillor Daly voiced fears that Ennis’ reputation could be damaged in the same way as Sligo’s following two murders and an assault last month.

“If people see something they should say something and that will stop a lot of the crime that is happening in Ennis. We have seen what happened in Sligo and the damage that did, we don’t want to let that happen in the beautiful town of Ennis.”

He urged that anybody who witnesses any anti-social behaviour or illegal acts to call the confidential line saying “pick up the phone and you will have no fear”.

The motion was supported by his fellow councillors with Councillor Clare Colleran Molloy commenting, “we are all concerned”. She added that every town “has its warts and all, and we have to manage those as best we can”.

Councillor Flynn stated that the incidences outlined by Councillor Daly were “disturbing”.

“We can’t allow a small minority to gain control of a housing estate using fear,” he said.