Call for more garda patrols in Limerick suburb

Up to 80 residents from Annacotty, Monaleen and the Castletroy area attended a meeting held by the Annacotty and Castletroy Community Alert Group to discuss measures to curtail juvenile crime in the area. 

“We are trying to get the gardaí to carry out more patrols in the area,” Fianna Fáil councillor Joe Pond said.

In January, residents of Annacotty village were left “terrified” after youths recorded themselves smashing the windows of a local business and then posted it to their Snapchat story.

A number of businesses were further targeted following the spree.

In recent weeks, the groups have gravitated more towards the Newtown Shopping Complex, Cllr Pond said. 

“The feeling on the ground in Annacotty village is that the anti-social behaviour has died down but it has moved towards the shopping centre. They now seem to have a fair bit of anti-social behaviour down there. “ 

There has also been an increase in the number of older people signing up for the senior citizen alert group, according to Cllr Pond, who helps run the service. “I can see a good bit of it coming on stream, elderly people looking for panic alarms,” he said. 

The local garda sergeant, who is based in Castleconnell, is doing a good job with patrols, he added. “But I still want to see more of a garda presence in the area. Annacotty is earmarked for major development so I do want to see a garda station in the area, whether it is Castleconnell that polices it, or a new station or a garda hub in Castletroy, there needs to be something.” 

An increase of garda patrols in the area will help to “deter” the groups of young people from gathering, Social Democrats representative Sarah Jane Hennelly believes.

“That’s one aspect of it. I also think we need to do something seriously around offering suitable activities for young people. I think there has to be another approach, especially coming up to the summer time.” 

“There are huge concerns in the area around what’s going to happen when the young people have nothing to do for three months.” 

When asked what measures are currently in place to patrol the area, a garda spokesperson said: “The questions posed would require the disclosure of operationally sensitive information and therefore we cannot assist in this regard.

“The District Officer is aware of the issues raised.”