Youths run amok

Youths run amok

4 November 2015

UGLY scenes at a Halloween bonfire in  Killyleagh last weekend have prompted calls for a public meeting to prevent further trouble in the town.

A number of residents at the Limetree estate were verbally abused by drunken teenagers who gathered at the bonfire last Saturday night, with glass bottles smashed on the road and  footpath and fireworks let off indiscriminately.

The estate was also plunged into darkness  after youths attempted to pull a street light to the ground. Residents claimed children as young as 12 were spotted drinking alcohol in the vicinity of the bonfire.

Broken bottles also  littered the car park of the nearby First Presbyterian Church while large trees close to the site of the bonfire  suffered major scorch damage.

The trouble has been condemned by local  politicians, representatives from the district’s Policing and Community Safety Partnership and the Housing Executive who have agreed to take part in a planned public meeting which they want young people and their parents from across the town to take part in.
Police will also be invited.

Rowallane councillors Billy Walker, Terry Andrews, Harry Harvey and Patrick Brown, who visited the Limetree estate on Monday, have condemned the trouble which flared on Saturday night and appealed for an end to anti-social behaviour. They say young people have no excuse for the trouble they caused which left many elderly residents frightened. 

The politicians confirmed they are prepared to work with young people and the town’s youth club to provide activities to keep them off the streets, but made it clear there is no place for the behaviour which many people witnessed last weekend.

Councillor Walker said while there has been a bonfire at this part of Killyleagh for a number of years “things got out of control” last Saturday night. He said Limetree estate residents should not have to put up with such outrageous behaviour and mayhem.

“Many times I have defended the young people of Killyleagh but what happened here last weekend was totally unacceptable. There comes a point when you can no longer defend the indefensible,” he declared. “There are people in Killyleagh doing excellent work with our young people, trying to keep them off the streets at night. What happened on Saturday night is a slap in the face for them.”

Councillor Walker, who plans to organise a public meeting at the Bridge Community Centre, said there will be an open invitation to young people and their parents to attend, adding: “Let’s hear what the concerns of the young people are and what they want us to do for them. They must come forward as I will find it very difficult to defend young people if they continue to behave like this.”

Councillor Andrews said Rowallane politicians are speaking on behalf of concerned residents, explaining he was made aware of reports that people from across Killyleagh were dumping their waste at the bonfire site, much of which was removed by the Housing Executive before Saturday night.

“None of us are anti young people. We work hard for local people but the actions of a mindless view are unfortunately tarring many young people with the same brush and threatening to undo the good work of others, including those who run the town’s youth club,” he added.

Councillor Harvey said if people want to have a Halloween bonfire it should be a properly organised, marshalled and safe event, held well away from people’s property. He also backed calls for a public meeting and appealed to young people to stay out of trouble.

Councillor Brown said Newry, Mourne and Down Council should provide funding for the youth group in Killyleagh and work with its leaders to help them identify additional funding streams to allow them to expand the excellent service they provide.

He added: “We must support this group in whatever way we can. Once the anti-social behaviour ethos sinks in, it is very hard to get on top of it. With the right funding and support, I believe this particular problem in Killyleagh could be addressed. We all need to do what we can to help.”