Young people responsible for terrorising residents in the area of the underpass on the Killylea Road in Armagh have been told to “wise up” by a city-based councillor.
The comment came from Cllr Roy McCartney after a meeting on Wednesday last, January 22, of the Armagh Police and Community Safety Partnership (PCSP).
Just last week Armagh I reported how wheelie bins had been stolen and set on fire, together with a bin for salt for icing paths.
At the meeting, discussion took place around continuing anti-social behaviour at the underpass on the Killylea Road.
PCSP Chair, Councillor Roy McCartney commented: “‘The PCSP recognise that local residents from Nialls Cresent, Navan Terrace, Emania Terrace and Windmill – as well as the many people who use the road – have become disillusioned and have lost confidence in the local authorities, police and political representatives to deal with this issue and are frustrated that they continue to be plagued by a small group of youths.
“PCSP members are aware that Armagh Neighbourhood Renewal Partnership has applied for funding to alley gate this tunnel. The PCSP have committed to write to the funders, the Department of Social Development, to request that this application is given urgent priority and to move the process on straight away.”
The Sinn Fein representative continued: “I was disgusted to hear that while we were discussing this matter at our meeting thugs were burning a car at the location in the vicinity of the tunnel. Local residents are sick and tired of this behaviour which has almost been non-stop for the last number of weeks.
“This is is not just young people ‘hanging out’ with nothing better to do. They are consuming alcohol, taking drugs and destroying property. This is criminal behaviour.
“The actions of these young people now are leading only one way – to the justice system. A criminal record will have a huge effect on future employment and ability to travel abroad to the US or Australia.
