'Rise in anti-social behaviour has to be tackled' says Tipperary TD
Labour TD Alan Kelly says something has to be done about the rise in anti-social behaviour in North Tipperary
Labour TD for Tipperary Alan Kelly has said that the rise in anti-social behaviour in North Tipperary needs to be tackled.
"The rise in anti-social behaviour across North Tipperary is one of the most serious issues occupying the minds of people at the moment. Having been on the campaign trail and canvassing for weeks it is the issue along with heath and housing that keeps coming up on people’s doors.
"People, young and old are concerned about walking the streets of our towns and not just at night. They feel that there isn’t enough Gardai on the beat or even a physical presence from them. They are right of course as I pointed out in the Dail recently that in the Nenagh divisional area, on some days of the week, there are only six gardaí, two in Newport-Killaloe, two in Nenagh on outside duty and one or two in the Roscrea area.
"The Fianna Fáil/Fine Gael government have absolutely failed abysmally to address the recruitment and retention crisis in the Gardai. Pay and conditions simply are not attractive for people to join anymore. I have been saying this for years. Gardai are retiring early or abandoning the career altogether.
"The end result is what we have now, people being nervous walking the streets of our towns and this is not acceptable. It affects people’s daily lives and it affects businesses hugely particularly those in the hospitality sector. The next Government is going to have to address this as a priority as the current one has been incapable of doing so" concluded Kelly.