Popular Limerick amenity considered 'no go' area after assault

CONCERNS have been raised regarding the “rising level of anti-social behaviour” in the Castletroy and Annacotty areas of Limerick following the assault of two teenage girls on the local greenway.

Willie O'Dea TD and Annacotty-based Councillor Joe Pond expressed their concerns after two girls were reportedly “badly beaten” on the Castletroy greenway in an unprovoked attack.

According to Mr O’Dea, two local seventeen-year-old girls were walking with three other friends on the greenway at around 5.50pm, on Saturday, February 24, when they were “set upon by a gang of youths in an unprovoked attack.”

“The girls were left badly injured after they were beaten and kicked in the head and face,” said Mr O’Dea.

"Residents in the area have contacted me to express their horror over what happened to these girls and have stated that the new greenway has become a no-go area, particularly in the evenings and nighttime,” he added.

The Limerick TD claims the attack underlines the need for a stronger garda presence on the ground in the Castletroy area. 

“A new garda station has been sanctioned for Castletroy and I am pressing the Minister to get on with finding a suitable location in the area. I am aware that a garda station in itself won't prevent these types of crime, but more gardaí based on the ground in the area will act as a significant deterrent,” he added.

Cllr Pond said the community have been “left reeling” after this latest incident and that the two victims were left “black and blue” after the incident.

“Unfortunately, the Castletroy Greenway, which is a wonderful amenity for the community, is no longer safe to use in the evenings,” Cllr Pond added.

A spokesperson for An Garda Síochána confirmed that they are investigating reports of an assault that occurred in Castletroy, County Limerick on Saturday, February 24.

"Enquiries are ongoing at this time," the spokesperson added.