Scenic Ned's Point
has become a 'no go' area littered with broken
glass, used condoms and plagued by 'boyracing' and
other anti-social behaviour, Buncrana councillors
have been told.
A deputation of Porthaw residents addressed the
monthly meeting on Wednesday evening and said the
situation in their seaside location had become so
bad some families had considered moving.
Margaret McAteer said the Military Road was now
"totally unsafe" particularly at weekends with
speeding and young drivers doing donuts and other
dangerous stunts. She asked the Council to consider
installing speed ramps or speed cushions to deter
dangerous driving and to build a footpath on one
side of the narrow winding road.
Catherine O'Connor said the anti-social behaviour
was getting worse especially during good weather.
"Drinking is going on day and night. You'll find
broken glass and used condoms all over the place
particularly up on the grass area," she said.
"We don't want our children seeing that kind of
behaviour. We want to regain this place back as
somewhere we can all enjoy."
She wondered why the Council had not erected signs
to outline the fact that drinking in public areas
was prohibited.
The residents told the councillors they were
subjected to a barrage of abuse if they confronted
those involved.
The councillors unanimously agreed the problem had
worsened and something urgently had to be done to
tackle it.
Town Mayor, Cllr. Joe Doherty said: "This is a place
used by a lot of people. This anti-social behaviour
has to stop. Law and order has gone sideways at this
stage."
Cllr. Nicholas Crossan added: "It's not right that a
small few are allowed to intimidate the majority."
Also on Wednesday's agenda was a proposal by Cllr.
Crossan to amend the existing bye-laws prohibiting
drinking in public places. They are now to be
extended to a full 24-hour ban in all public areas
of the town except in the immediate vicinity of
public houses. Gardai had complained they were
unable to enforce the existing laws because of a
lack of signage informing the public about the
on-street drinking ban. Signs are expected to be
erected throughout the town shortly.
|