The Black Abbey car park and its subsidiary streets have once again witnessed the savage affects of anti social behaviour that resulted in the burning of two cars parked close to the Dominican Abbey last Wednesday night March 4.
Cllr Noel Frawley of the Labour Party, who spoke to residents of the area and strongly condemns such behaviour, feels that a decisive and organised response to such deliberate wanton acts of vandalism has to be undertaken before someone is seriously hurt or killed.
People living in the area who have spoken to Cllr Frawley, stated that many residents encounter a type of siege mentality enveloping the area at night, particularly when gangs of youths gather and engage in all night drinking parties, and whose intimating robust actions leave little to the imagination.
The historic Black Abbey and the various surrounding picturesque streets such as Black Mill St, Abbey Lane, New Building Lane and Abbey Street all nestled under the gigantic shadow of St Mary’s Cathedral represent one of the most medieval interconnecting street areas of our city and as such are of huge importance to the city’s reputation and status, demanding that any anti-social activity within this area receive particular attention from the local authorities.
While visiting the area Cllr Frawley was reminded by local residents that the burning of the two cars was not the first incident to disrupt the area in recent times, just last year a rubbish skip parked at Freren Court was deliberately set alight, resulting in all residents from the surrounding streets being evacuated from their homes in the middle of the night. Other such incidents include the desecration of statues belonging to the Dominican Abbey, actions which defy any logical or common sense reason and leave a mystifying vague question mark as to the saneness of the perpetrators.
People are demanding the installation of CCTV cameras by the local authorities and Cllr Frawley has been informed that actions must be undertaken to patrol the area at night on a regular basis, particularly at the weekend when most gatherings and parties happen, resulting in boisterous activities, which inevitably get out of control.
Cllr Frawley believes that it is the areas unique quaintness with its diversity of laneways and cobbled streets that make it a victim of its own success. Its architectural beauty is simply the reason people are attracted to the area and assemble within its limestone cloister, but it is now time to let people know that within that beauty lies a strong and committed community determined to address anti-social behaviour and cast aside the siege mentality that it generates and for that Cllr Frawley supports and applauds their determination and resolute and pledges his full corporation and support in their efforts to stabilise growing lawlessness.
