Gardaí plan meeting over teen behaviour

GARDAÍ say they have not turned a blind eye to the problems in Irishtown, and have a meeting lined up on the matter over the coming days.

Superintendent John McDonald said gangs of 12 to 16-year-olds gather in Irishtown on Sunday evenings.

Supt McDonald said: ‘ There are a percentage of the people who are not involved in anti-social behaviour. We have engaged with the community up there and have tried to resolve these issues over a period of time. We have a further meeting arranged to see if we can progress the issue.’

He said gardaí have spoken directly to the youths as they do not want to have to report them to their parents, but will if that is what is required.

‘A lot of the youngsters we have engaged with have been very respectful and we’ve had no issue with them, but there have been some arrests.’

Supt McDonald said it is unfair to blame the youths for littering, pointing out that there is always a lot of litter left behind by GAA fans after matches and by visitors to the seaside.

‘ That is not to say that it makes it justifiable. We are engaging with different groups, highlighting all these issues. This happens a place where they congregate. We have had to tackle anti-social behaviour in other areas of the town, including in the town park, and this happens to be another area. Unfortunately we’ve had to deal with it and have had to been forceful.’

The issue of gang mentality and a suspected ringleader from New Ross are also being investigated.