Kilkenny residents terrorised by sinister Hallowe’en fireworks menace

Hellish scenes were reported in numerous areas of Kilkenny on Hallowe’en night as youngsters terrorised people and animals setting off fireworks.

On Hallowe’en night several children in one estate on the outskirts of the city abandoned trick and tricking as masked teenagers roamed around the estate setting off fireworks. It is understood that a number of residents reported the incident to gardaí.

Meanwhile fireworks were set off throughout the night in several areas with one incident of fireworks been set off at approximately 7am on Saturday morning just a few hundred metres from Kilkenny Garda Station.

Animals as well as people were terrified by the illegal activity which has been rampant in recent weeks.

Youngsters ran through the city centre on Monday afternoon setting off fireworks as shocked shoppers and tourists looked on.

Gardaí have appealed to the public for information in relation to the sale and supply of fireworks.

However according to one local councillor far more needs to be done to address the use of illegal fireworks which are causing significant distress locally.

“Gardaí need to stem the flow of these fireworks, they are illegal and they are being sold in Kilkenny,” said Cllr Eugene McGuinness.

“One woman contacted me and she was afraid in her home over older kids setting off fireworks and she was also afraid to approach their parents as she was fearful of their reaction,” he said.

“It is like a warzone, it has got more worse and the size of the fireworks has gotten bigger, they are more like explosives, they would rattle a house when they are set off close by.”

Cllr McGuinness added that a sinister element was that many of the perpetrators were ‘masked up’.
“They are not coming out to celebrate but to intimidate people often at 3 and 4am in the morning,” he said.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Kilkenny Gardaí on (056) 777 5000.