Fine Gael Local Election candidate Darren Murphy has called for new measures to be implemented to combat anti-social behaviour and help the ailing pub and taxi trades in Kilkenny city.
“A solid majority of our problems with antisocial behaviour on a Saturday night can be attributed to the fact that we have far too many people coming out onto the same street at the same time,” he said. “We need to introduce staggered closing times within Kilkenny city. We need to revert back to the original normal closing hours at 12.30am and late licenses at 2.30am.
Mr Murphy also called for the introduction of a new licence to stagger the closing times further and allow longer trading hours.
“The longer hours will prevent overcrowding on the streets and will help boost our tourism trade that was once booming from our drinks industry here in Kilkenny”, he said.
“This could in turn help local businesses, especially in the current economic climate. It could turn around the effect that the disastrous handling of closing times has had on pubs in Kilkenny. So many people are directly employed in the pub industry in Kilkenny, it is essential that we strive to help them as much as we possibly can.
“In turn, this will also help the taxi industry in Kilkenny as we will provide them with an easier number of people at one time requiring their services. We need to retain as many jobs as possible. The Government is failing to do so. I will strive to make sure our dole queues do not get any longer in Kilkenny city”.
Pointing out the advantages of his proposal on antisocial behaviour and policing in the city, Mr Murphy said it would result in having fewer people on the street at the one time, making it easier for the gardaí to police the streets. This will lead to less antisocial behaviour and a safer environment for all the people out on a Saturday night.
“If we can implement this, plus extending the Bateman Quay taxi rank and lighting the area properly, plus introducing good quality CCTV to the main streets in Kilkenny, we will see a much safer Kilkenny each weekend”, he said.
“People want a hassle free night out, and we will provide it while upholding Kilkenny's strong tradition of being one of the best spots for a night out in Ireland.”
