New bid to end trouble in Downpatrick estates

New bid to end trouble in Downpatrick estates

22 June 2016

RESIDENTS at the Model Farm and Flying Horse estates in Downpatrick have called for an end to  ongoing anti-social behaviour in the area.

The appeal was issued at a public meeting on Monday night organised by the Flying Horse Ward Community Forum to discuss trouble which involved teenagers pelting cars with stones and balloons filled with water and setting fire to traffic lights and bins. 

Concern was also expressed about young people gathering near businesses and playing loud music, disturbing the elderly and young children. There was also reports of eggs and water balloons being thrown at children out playing.

Representatives from various agencies including the PSNI and Housing Executive were joined by others from the Forum including Co Down Rural Community Network, Downpatrick Community Collective, Policing and Community Social Partnership and the Education Authority’s youth services division.

They agreed to work with young people to help keep them out of trouble, but warnings were issued that those who engage in anti-social behaviour could result in their parents being evicted from their Housing Executive properties.

Forum chairman, Éamonn Mac Con Midhe, chaired Monday night’s meeting at St Colmcille’s Primary School which drew a wide cross section of people from both estates.

He said many are concerned at the ongoing trouble in a part of Downpatrick which has had millions of pounds of investment pumped into it over the years. Mr Mac Con Midhe said despite the significant investment, anti-social behaviour is continuing and that while not all the young people responsible for the trouble live locally, a number of them do.

“If the trouble is to stop we are all going to have work alongside the various agencies,” declared Mr Mac Con Midhe. “People can be put out of their house if their children are causing trouble. But it is not children who are burning traffic lights or pouring petrol on the road and setting fire to it.

“There are many facilities for young people in this area and there are many people willing to help them. I would warn young people that if they end up with a criminal record it can harm their future employment prospects and even prevent them from entering some countries. All the agencies are prepared to work with the young people and I would encourage them to make the most of this opportunity.”

PSNI Chief Inspector, Barney O’Connor, encouraged residents to help police identify those responsible for the trouble and assured them information can be provided confidentially. He said officers have already met with representatives from a number of the agencies represented at Monday night’s meeting to discuss what can be done to address it.

The police chief said a recent operation in the area included a number of house and vehicle searches, with the names taken of young people.

“Police are still carrying out investigations into the recent wanton vandalism in the area which resulted in the burning of a traffic light,” confirmed Mr O’Connor. “We have submitted a number of items for forensic examination to see if we can get any DNA or fingerprints that might help us. Police know they have the support of the community in this area and any evidence we are provided with about what is happening will be followed up.”

Housing Executive official, Bronagh Magorrian, said her organisation is prepared to arrange a walkabout in both estates to provide people with an opportunity to highlight areas of particular concern, confirming containers being used for storage as part of a window replacement scheme at the Model Farm will be removed as children were playing on top of them.

She continued: “Anti-social behaviour is happening and it shouldn’t be. Residents in this area are entitled to live exactly the same as people in other estates in Downpatrick and Northern Ireland and should not be treated any differently. Everyone here tonight is willing to help address the problems in the area.”

Ann Grant, from the Co Down Rural Community Network, who spoke on behalf of some young people from the estates who attended the meeting, said they want an area where they can “hang out and play loud music” and have access to the internet. She said while the young people appreciate there has been trouble “they were not fully responsible for it.”