Concerns after laneway incident

A LOCAL councillor has voiced his concern following a report of a young boy being hassled by man in a Wexford town laneway linking Talbot Green to Green Street.

Cllr Thomas Forde was responding to a report from a local man who said his 12-year-old son had been challenged to a fight by an adult male in the laneway.

The boy fled to his home and his father contacted the gardai. He also expressed concerns that the lane was being used for drug and alcohol use.

Cllr Forde said: ‘It is very worrying to hear of a young boy being threatened in such an aggressive manner. It’s even worse that this incident took place so close to his own home, where a young child should feel safe and secure.’

He said that, unfortunately, it was not the first report he had received of anti-social behaviour in the laneway and he urged people to report any such occurrences to the Gardai. He pointed out that the laneway, which cuts through the estate, provided a shortcut to the local primary and secondary schools.

He added: ‘Talbot Green is a great community and it is important that the residents and other school children are able to use the laneway without any hesitation or fear. I have met with residents in the area and they are appealing for CCTV to stamp out any anti-social behaviour and to keep their children safe.’

He added that he would speak to council officials on the issue and raise it at the next Borough District meeting.