Gardaí ‘turning a complete blind eye’ to anti-social behaviour in area of Waterford city

Gardaí are “turning a complete blind eye” to anti-social behaviour in an area of Waterford city, a council meeting has heard.

Fine Gael councillor Frank Quinlan raised the issue at a recent Special Meeting of the Waterford Metropolitan District.

Cllr Quinlan spoke on the subject of Ballybricken after it was announced that the area would host events as part of the Waterford Harvest Festival in September.

He stated: “I welcome that it’s after being expanded to Ballybricken but there are obviously major issues around the Bull Post in Ballybricken on a daily basis, especially when the sun is shining.

“There’s all sorts of anti-social behaviour going on on a daily basis. The guards are literally five yards away. They’re turning a complete blind eye to it.

“Only if something dramatic or serious happens - like someone is literally out cold on the ground, which is after happening on several occasions.”

Cllr Quinlan went on to outline what he saw when he was in Ballybricken the night before the meeting took place.

“There’s glass all over the place, there’s bins beside benches and they’re ignoring the bins. I was up there walking the dog literally last night, there’s glass everywhere.

“Now, as I said, it’s fantastic that Ballybricken is going to be included in the Harvest Festival because that’s where everything originated from - the pig buyers years and years ago - but as I said, we just have to do something about this.

“I’d be very very concerned on the weekend of harvest if the sun is shining and these are loitering around where children are playing.”

He concluded by saying that it would be “very off-putting for everyone” if the situation persists in Ballybricken whilst the festival is taking place.

In response to Cllr Quinlan, Gareth Evans, Senior Executive Officer at Waterford City and County Council, said that the local authority would engage with the gardaí on the issue.