A local councillor has expressed his growing concern relating to the number of anti-social behaviour instances which he believes are becoming on “all too regular occurrence” on the landscape of Athlone.
Speaking to the Athlone Advertiser, Cllr Frankie Keena referenced a particular issue which he witnessed during the festive season, expressing his disappointment that members of the Gardai were unable to attend and address the matter for over an hour.
“Following the successful hosting of the Athlone Christmas Market, I was in the vicinity of the Civic Square early on Monday morning dismantling the timber market cabins. It was a cold and wet morning and together with my volunteer colleagues we were anxious to have the location cleared before the morning rush started.
“Suddenly, I heard escalating voices which echoed throughout the Civic Square and after checking the scene I noticed two individuals who were either drunk or on illegal drugs. They then started fighting with one another.
“I rang the Gardai at 6.58am seeking assistance to remove these two individuals from the street. I was answered by a call centre and my eircode requested. I informed them who I was and gave the address of the fracas. I was put through to the Athlone Garda Station who stated that a patrol car was en route.
“I rang at 7.07am and was told that Gardai were en route. In the meantime, one of these individuals pulled a water pipe from the wall of a business premises which resulted in mains water flowing out on to the street, using this as a weapon to hit the other individual who took up a brick as his weapon.
“These two individuals proceeded to fight around my car which was parked in the Civic Square, the individual with the water pipe continually hitting it in an effort to strike the person with whom he was fighting. I eventually got to move my car to another location.
“At 8.16am I rang the Garda Station and requested a reason as to why no patrol car had called to the scene. I was informed that an individual bleeding from the head had presented to the station and that he was brought to the hospital by ambulance. I again requested the Gardai to call over to view the damage done to property.
“Eventually, at 8.20am the Gardai arrived at the scene and they explained that an individual was brought to hospital after presenting at the station. After further discussions I informed the Gardai that the individual who had been brought to hospital was the person who was using the water pipe as a weapon,” Cllr Keena said.
‘Law and Order Addressed’
The councillor stated that he was “annoyed” and “furious” that it took Gardai “one hour and 20 minutes” to journey “approximately 700 metres” to the scene of the incident.
“If the Gardai had arrived when originally contacted they would have prevented damage to the business premises and saved the taxpayer money by not having to get an ambulance to bring one of these perpetrators to hospital where he will get free medical assistance.
“The Government has a policy to encourage people to live in town centres but law and order must be addressed. It is very difficult for people living in such urban areas to witness continuous anti-social behaviour taking place on the streets,” Cllr Keena added.
The councillor noted that in his role as chairman of the Athlone Drug Awareness Group, he had hosted public meetings to address such anti-social behaviour issues, during which impacted individuals spoke of their relevant concerns.
“We are facing a serious breakdown of law and order, certain individuals do not care about who they hurt or whose property they damage. It is the law abiding taxpaying person, who go about their lives working hard to rear their families who are been penalised.
“My experience may seem minuscule, but it clearly points out that there is an issue with Garda cover in Athlone. I need to make it clear that Gardai working in Athlone are doing their best with the resources available. The issue lies with Minister for Justice Helen McEntee, Commissioner Drew Harris, our Chief Superintendent in Navan and two Superintendents in Mullingar, who are responsible for policing within the Division.
“This particular anti-social behaviour issue highlights the retrograde step taken with the removal of the Superintendent position from Athlone Garda station, a role which addresses daily policing matters.
“This is wrong and unfair on the people of Athlone and it is an issue that I will continue to highlight and seek to be rectified,” Cllr Keena concluded.
