‘Ruining the area for everyone’: Cork gardaí to patrol hotspots of anti-social behaviour

Sun, 28 Jun, 2020 - 21:40

Mary Corcoran

Gardaí in Cork are to patrol hotspots of antisocial behaviour over the summer months as part of a new strategy and say that young people found to be in breach of the law will face repercussions.

Last week, Fennell’s Bay, Myrtleville, and Church Bay men’s pool were all said to be jammed with young people partying in the warm weather.

Speaking to The Echo, local Fianna Fáil councillor Audrey Buckley said some showed a lack of respect for the area. She said huge amounts of rubbish were left behind, including tents, foldable chairs, disposable BBQs, jumpers, and numerous empty bottles of vodka and whiskey.

“They are leaving everything behind and also they are using the beach as a toilet,” she said. “They are ruining the area for everyone, we just ask that they have a little more respect.”

Speaking to The Echo, Inspector Ronan Kennelly, Togher Garda Station said they had implemented a strategy for the summer months within the Togher District whereby they will be paying regular visits to areas in Myrtleville, Carrigaline, Rocky Bay, Fennel’s Bay, Bishopstown, Douglas, and Togher.

Inspector Kennelly said that young people found to be in breach of the law will be dealt with including through arrests or referrals to the Juvenile Diversion Scheme.

Inspector Kennelly said that gardaí had undertaken additional patrols in some areas last week. They had dispersed a crowd of around 20 to 30 people who had gathered on a beach, but there were no other issues.

“They were well behaved and complied with any directions given,” he said.

Meanwhile, Inspector Kennelly stressed that parents also have an important role in preventing large gatherings of young people or antisocial behaviour.

“Parents have a central role, this includes not dropping them off to an area where there is antisocial activities,” he said. The Inspector urged parents to “know and confirm, if their child is going out, that they know where they are going and can confirm this”.