LIMERICK’S Chief Garda Superintendent has been asked to personally intervene after a spate of antisocial behaviour incidents on the streets of Thomondgate.
Sinn Fein councillor John Costelloe has also appealed to those involved to stop this “unacceptable behaviour” before anyone gets seriously injured.
“I took several calls last Tuesday evening in relation to a burnt out car on Quarry Road. A young lady whose car broke down and had gone to seek some assistance came back minutes later to see her car in flames.
“To think a vulnerable young girl driving through the city streets expected her car journey to end this way is disturbing. The incident occurred outside the homes of several elderly residents who were shocked at the level of wanton violence,” Cllr Costelloe told the Limerick Post.
A second incident occurred last Thursday evening at 9pm when a bus on a scheduled route through Thomondgate to the city centre was attacked by youths in Canon Breen Park who hurled a rock at one of its windows.
“Bus Eireann has confirmed that it will not withdraw the route at this time but will keep it under review. Thankfully the driver and the passengers were unhurt in this episode. In this mature residential area, it is simply unacceptable for the youths to put fear into the neighbourhood. Ongoing problems with street drinking need to tackled in this area for once and for all,” said Cllr Costelloe.
A Garda spokesman responded: “The incident involving the car going on fire is the subject of an investigation along with the criminal damage to the bus. There has been great success in tackling antisocial behaviour over the past 12 months with three community policing personnel working from Mayorstone with responsibility to ensure the needs of the community are addressed.
Reaction to Policing in Thomondgate has been very positive from all parties and these types of matters have become isolated incidents in the area”, the spokesman added.
by Alan Jacques
