Anti-social behaviour on the increase since lockdowns

Communities were being scourged by anti-social behaviour from groups of youths, according to local representatives at a meeting of the County Galway Joint Policing Committee (JPC).

The meeting heard there had been a “noticeable increase” in anti-social behaviour since lockdowns were introduced and Indreabhán-based Councillor Pádraig Mac An Iomaire (FG) said he had first-hand experience of the problem.

“We had a problem in the local club a couple of weeks ago. There was a group of them involved [in anti-social behaviour], aged between 12 and 15 years. I approached them with another member of the committee and we were more or less told to bugger off,” recalled Cllr Mac An Iomaire.

Cllr Dáithí Ó Cualáin said he had taken calls from residents affected by anti-social behaviour in Bearna, Indreabhán and various other areas in recent weeks and called for a strategy to be prepared.

“Coming into the summer holidays, do we have any plan to deal with this?” asked the Fianna Fáil councillor.

Chief Superintendent Tom Curley said that Gardaí in every station prepared weekly plans and if there was a particular response required to deal with anti-social behaviour, it would be dealt with in that forum.

“If there are areas being targeted by anti-social young people, I would say ring your local station. We had issues in Salthill recently and we allocated additional resources. A number of young people were arrested and where issues arise, it will be dealt with.

“We can’t have a garda on every street corner but if people let us know, we will respond,” said Chief Supt Curley.

He said while nobody wanted to be invoking the Juvenile Liaison Service for any young person, “just because you are 14 or 15 does not mean you are above the law”.

“It has been the case for the last number of months that there is a noted increase in young people congregating in large groups.

“It can be the case that it is a large number from one estate and it’s a case of too many coming together.

“I would say let us know and we will go along and assess the situation,” said the Galway Garda Chief (pictured).