RESIDENTS at two of Downpatrick’s biggest housing estates have called for an end to trouble being caused by local teenagers.
Over the past few weeks stones and golf balls have been thrown at vehicles travelling along the Killough Road which runs between the Model Farm and Flying Horse estates.
A car belonging to one lady was set on fire at the Flying Horse estate while a window in a mobile library calling at the homes of senior citizens was smashed by stone throwers. Graffiti was also painted on the gable wall of a home at the Model Farm estate where a car was also covered in smashed eggs.
Residents from both estates joined local politicians and representatives from the Flying Horse Ward Community Forum and the Ballymote Centre Project Board on Monday night to send out a signal to the troublemakers that they are not welcome.
A public meeting has also been organised for next Thursday night at 7pm at the Ballymote Centre to discuss the ongoing problems and effective ways in which it can be tackled.
An open invitation to attend the meeting has been extended to residents from both estates, local politicians and representatives from the Down District Policing Partnership, the PSNI, Housing Executive and Social Services. People whose vehicles have been damaged by the stone throwers are also being encouraged to attend.
Residents say they are “fed up” with what’s happening and while a number were prepared to speak to the Recorder about the ongoing trouble and have their photograph taken, a number were reluctant to reveal their identity in case they are targeted by the teenagers.
Mr. Eugene Laird was on his way home to Killough last Friday afternoon when stones were thrown at his car.
“This is complete madness. If something is not done to stop the trouble there could be a serious incident. Throwing stones at a car could startle a driver and result in them losing control of their vehicle,” he said. “What happened frightened me. This issue needs to be dealt with swiftly. You can’t allow youths to stone vehicles.”
Mrs. Mary Maguire, a member of the Ballymote Centre Project Board, described the attack on the mobile library as an “absolute disgrace.”
She continued: “We are all very concerned at what’s been happening. The fact that local teenagers are believed to be responsible is a worry and a concern. We need to have this issue dealt with as quickly as possible,” she added.
Other residents who did not want to be named described the teenagers who painted graffiti on a gable wall as “cowards” as they used the cover of darkness to hide their identities.
“This has to stop,” declared one resident. “People do not want this sort of thing happening on their doorstep. Local teenagers are involved but there are others from other parts of the town who are coming here to get involved in the trouble.
“We have had enough. Something must be done before this problem escalates out of control. This trouble cannot continue.”
Another resident added: “It would appear that the parents of the teenagers responsible for the trouble don’t want to know. That being the case I think it’s important we have someone from Social Services at next week’s public meeting.”