Lane closure ‘has reduced anti-social behaviour’ on street in Tipperary
Drugs dealers had been operating in area and wheel bins set on fire
Drug dealers were operating on a Clonmel laneway that has since been closed overnight on a temporary basis, a meeting of Clonmel Borough District was told.
District Engineer Eoin Powell also stated that wheel bins had been set on fire and people were urinating all over the lane on Parnell Street.
In this case he said he would strongly recommend that the nighttime closure would be extended.
The engineer was responding to remarks made by Cllr John Fitzgerald, who requested that the temporary closure of the lane adjacent to Moran’s bar would be extended.
One business owner in the area told him that his wheel bin had been set on fire on a number of occasions, but the subsequent closure of the lane from 7pm to 7am was preventing anti-social behaviour.
Cllr Fitzgerald said he would prefer to see the lane closed permanently, but for now the temporary closure should be extended.
The wider community had benefited from the reduction in anti-social behaviour and this closure was working for the business people in the area.
He said he didn’t like “putting road blocks anywhere” but trying to get food and drinks businesses on the straight and narrow again was very challenging, especially after the imposition of Covid restrictions.
However, Cllr Pat English said the lane was a public right of way and he was totally opposed to its permanent closure.
If that was being considered then there was a process that had to be followed, he reminded the meeting.
A number of the lanes in Clonmel were a major part of the town’s infrastructure dating back hundreds of years.
Cllr English said a lovely piece of lighting had recently been installed at Shelman’s Lane, just off O’Connell Street leading to the Quay.
This should also be a feature of the other lanes, instead of closing them down, he said.