Tag Archives: anti-social behaviour

ANTI-SOCIAL behaviour at public amenities in Kilrush has prompted a local councillor to call for more proactive policing in the area, as well as greater supports for young people. At the recent meeting of the Joint Policing Committee (JPC), Councillor Ian Lynch said it was time that the body stepped up its efforts in highlighting anti-social behaviour and in proposing effective solutions. He cited, in particular, the need for an update on strategies proposed to-date by the JPC, including the creation of a multi-agency taskforce to tackle drugs and related crimes. Councillor Lynch outlined how public amenities in Kilrush are now the site of concerning levels of illicit and anti-social activities. “We know very well the benefits of public, outdoor amenities like the Coillte-owned Vandaleur estate and woodland,” he said. “While they are being used regularly by more and more people, there has also been an increase in thefts from vehicles. People are coming along at 3pm in the day, …

A BRAWL that took place in broad daylight on the streets of Ennis was widely condemned at a meeting, this week, of Clare’s Joint Policing Committee (JPC). Several members voiced fears over activities in the centre of the county town since the onset of the pandemic, which has seen the introduction of pedestrianisation on O’Connell Street and reduced footfall as people work from home. Clare’s Garda chief also conceded that the pressure to staff roadside checkpoints had reduced the presence of the force in the town. However, he pledged to boost the visibility of gardaí on the streets as restrictions ease. Cathaoirleach of Clare County Council, Mary Howard referred to footage circulating on social media that appears to show two young men brawling on Darcy’s Corner, a busy junction in the heart of the town. Despite the presence of onlookers, the men can be seen to leave the footpath and exchange blows in the middle of the road, before leaving …

CLARE’S top Garda has responded to concerns over the use of tourist facilities in Ennis to provide homeless accommodation. In recent weeks, the situation has been blamed for a spike in anti-social behaviour, including drug dealing, in residential areas close to the town centre. The issue was raised at this week’s meeting of the Joint Policing Committee (JPC) by Deputy Joe Carey, who said the location and nature of the Ashford Court Hotel make it unsuitable as a homeless service. “There is fall-out on the streets of residential areas nearby,” he said. “This has been raised by a number of people. I don’t believe that the tourist accommodation being used is adequate. The proper supports are not there, especially to support complex cases. There is spill-out on to the streets and residents have been contacting us as public representatives, to voice their concerns. “We need a multi-agency approach to nip this in the bud and root out unsavoury behaviour.” Cathaoirleach …

ENNIS is “becoming a problem area” with calls being made for the setting up of a special Joint Policing sub-committee with a specific focus on the county capital. This week’s meeting of the Ennis Municipal District saw councillors raise concerns about anti-social behaviour which has been linked to the use of tourist buildings as homeless accommodation. Residents of Hermitage and Considine’s Terrace in Ennis have reported anti-social behaviour including incidences of drug dealing and intimidation associated with some living in Ashford Court under the Winter Initiative Project. While concerns have also been raised about residents at Westbrook House, a former bed and breakfast on the Gort Road being used for emergency accommodation. Councillor Johnny Flynn raised the issue at the meeting, requesting a report on the planning and development status of the ongoing homeless and emergency accommodation use of tourist accommodation buildings at both Ashford Court, and Westbrook.  He insisted that all councillors are “fully committed” to providing social housing. However …

An East Clare councillor has branded as “disgraceful and outrageous” the situation at The 12 O’Clock Hills in terms of illegal dumping and anti-social behaviour. Councillor Joe Cooney made his comments at the recent meeting of the Killaloe Municipal District when he called for a barrier to be erected to address issues including fly-tipping, theft, bike-scrambling and other unauthorised and illegal activities in the area. The Fine Gael member proposed that the barrier might be put in place on the link road between at Torpey Hurleys and the R471 at Oatfield Church. He stressed that this would only be done after consultation with householders, landowners, The 12 O’Clock Hills committee and Coillte. “There is a major issue with unlawful dumping and anti-social behaviour,” he said. “There’s a lot of concern over what’s going on at The 12 O’Clock Hills. A number of different groups have approached us and made an appeal to stop these illegal activities.” Councillor Cooney outlined how …

GRAVEYARDS in two locations in the county have had Garda patrols stepped up in response to a spate of thefts that has been going on since the start of the year, Clare’s Garda chief has said. Addressing last Monday’s meeting of the Joint Policing Committee (JPC), Chief Superintendent Seán Colleran urged people to continue to report incidents and pledged that they would be fully investigated. Since January of this year, there has been a hike in incidents of theft and anti-social behaviour at Drumcliffe Cemetery in Ennis. There has also been an ongoing issue at the graveyard in Tulla, with a spate of thefts of grave ornaments and flowers, over the last nine months. The issue at Drumcliffe was raised by the Mayor of Clare, who voiced frustration with the perception that calls were not being logged. “Since January, I’ve been bringing this to the attention of the Gardaí and the local authority,” Councillor Mary Howard said. “I have found …

TWO thirds of teenagers and young adults surveyed by Clare Youth Service have felt unsafe in the Ennis Town area during the past 12 months, while 60% of those who said they had experienced crime said they were assaulted, a study by UL has revealed. More than half (54%) of senior-cycle secondary school students surveyed have also admitted to feeling unsafe, and a little less than half (46%) of the general population, who responded to the survey questionnaire, said they also felt unsafe. The study, Feeling Safe in Ennis, an exploration of perceptions of safety in Ennis, was presented to Tuesday’s Ennis Municipal District councillors by Dr Chris McInerney from the Department of Politics and Public Administration in UL. The study was commissioned following feedback gained during the Ennis 2020 consultations that had indicated some level of concern about safety issues in the town. Dr McInerney told the councillors that Ennis ranks on the lower end of the scale in …

“THEY’RE not going home to shave their legs and they’re not making omelettes”, was the message of one councillor to Ennis business people as she urged that them not to sell eggs and shaving foam to youngsters during events such as St Patrick’s Day. Councillor Mary Howard at this week’s meeting of Ennis Town Council called on the local authority in association with other agencies such as An Garda Siochana, traders, Ennis Chamber and schools to devise a “code of conduct”. She outlined that this should deal with identifiable perennial events, “particularly antisocial behaviour on certain days by young teenagers”, on days to include St Patrick’s Day, the last day of school and festivals. She stated that there is a problem with antisocial behaviour among young people in the town on certain days of the year. And she said that she was told on St Patrick’s Day from 12 and 13 year olds that it was “too scary” in town …