Newcastle car park is to close overnight

Newcastle car park is to close overnight

22 October 2025

NEWCASTLE’S Donard Park is to be closed at night as part of a radical action plan to finally end anti-social and criminal behaviour at the resort’s biggest car park.

An adjoining overflow car park — which is a magnet for young drivers who are terrorising residents who live nearby — has already been blocked off with concrete bollards following a meeting last week involving politicians, the PSNI, Newry, Mourne and Down Council and Department for Infrastructure representatives.

Residents affected by the late night disturbances also took part in the meeting organised by Sinn Fein in direct response to increasing concern about the late night activity of young drivers.

The agreed action plan includes immediate temporary steps ahead of plans to eventually implement a permanent solution over the coming months.

Heavy concrete bollards which have blocked the entrance to the overflow car park which does not have lighting, were requested after a car damaged fencing last week and will be replaced with a more permanent fixture.

The principle of permanently closing the main car park overnight has been agreed by all the partners, with council officials set to commence a required consultation process with residents and business owners.

It’s proposed that automated bollards will be installed to provide people who need to access their homes via the main car park.

Also as part of thew new action plan, DfI roads officials have agreed to conduct a speed assessment survey on the Shimna Road and identify potential measures to address speeding and dangerous driving when leaving the car park.

And police are to increase their presence in the Donard Park area and deploy officers on the Shimna Road with hand held speed devices in a bid to deter irresponsible driving.

South Down MP Chris Hazzard and his party colleagues Cathy Mason MLA and Mournes councillor Willie Clarke, are pleased to have secured what they have described as a “clear, multi-agency action plan” to resolve the long-standing anti-social behaviour issues at this part of the town.

The MP said his party convened last week’s meeting to “deliver action” and was successful in securing it.

“We now have a clear plan with immediate temporary and permanent solutions,” he continued.

“This decisive action is a direct result of Sinn Féin bringing the key agencies to the table and holding them accountable. We will continue to work with all agencies to deliver the peace and quiet that local residents deserve.”

Mrs Mason said the success of last week’s meeting was securing commitment from a number of agencies to work together to tackle the ongoing anti-social behaviour.

“It’s important residents and local businesses are consulted as part of the progress towards a permanent solution,” she added.

Cllr Clarke said Donard Park residents have shown “incredible patience and determination” in highlighting the issue. 

“The installation of concrete slabs are a practical, physical barrier that prevent drivers engaging in the dangerous and disruptive behaviour we have seen,” he said.

“I will continue to work with the council to ensure the delivery of the agreed permanent solutions.”

Mournes councillor, Laura Devlin, has condemned last week’s incident when a car damaged fencing that runs alongside the entrance to the overflow car park.

She said the incident, which is believed to have happened late last Thursday night or during the early hours of Friday, also damaged trees.

Cllr Devlin said there is also evidence of what looks like so-called donuts performed on the grass pitch before the driver cut locks on a gate to exit the area.

“This is totally unacceptable and is not anti-social ,but criminal behaviour,” she declared.

“My concern is that someone will get seriously hurt as this activity is nothing short of reckless and the noise associated with this is completely unacceptable for residents.”

Cllr Devlin said the Newcastle car park and sports pitches belong to everyone.

She added: “There is huge demand for pitches and sporting facilities in general and here we have a pitch damaged and surrounding infrastructure that now needs repaired. All of this comes at a cost to ratepayers and makes no sense at all. If anyone knows anything about this incident they should contact the police. 

“Issues at Donard Park have been going on for too long and we are all too aware of the anti-social behaviour and often criminal behaviour that can take place at there as a result of organised and informal car meets and the dreadful impact that has on residents and the wider town.”