Hopes to curb anti-social behaviour in Donard Park

Hopes to curb anti-social behaviour in Donard Park

27 August 2025

OFFICIALS from key agencies are to be asked to come up with an agreed solution to address continuing anti-social behaviour issues at Newcastle’s Donard Park.

Representatives from the the PSNI, Newry, Mourne and Down Council and Department for Infrastructure are to discuss a way forward during a meeting being organised by South Down MP Chris Hazzard.

He met recently with a group of concerned residents and agreed to arrange the multi-agency meeting which is expected to take place soon.

Residents say they have had enough of ongoing disturbances including late-night car meets, resulting in excess noise and anti-social behaviour in the overflow car park nearby which has led to sleepless nights.

A petition calling for action launched by Mrs Rita Longlands has to date been signed by over 700 residents, with the forthcoming meeting attended by representatives from The Donard Park residents’ group who will provide a summary of their efforts and proposed solutions for the car meeting.

Significantly, car meet organisers will also be invited to the meeting alongside Mournes councillor Willie Clarke.

He is backing the community campaign to tackle persistent anti-social behaviour and reckless driving which, he hopes, will pave the way for the introduction of stronger enforcement and safety measures.

Mr Hazzard said the Donard Park residents have shown “incredible determination and patience” in trying to resolve this particular issue.

He continued: “Their lives are being significantly impacted by this and it’s clear that a new approach is needed.

“By bringing all relevant parties together, including the residents and the car meet organisers themselves, we can create a space for a meaningful dialogue and, hopefully, agree on a concrete plan of action.”

The MP said he is confident that by working together, a solution can be found that respects the right of residents to live in peace, especially those who live in sheltered housing accommodation which surrounds the car park.

Cllr Clarke said he’s been contacted by many residents who are at their “wits’ end with the noise and disruption”.

He added: “This multi-agency approach is exactly what’s needed to move beyond the current impasse and find a solution that works for everyone in the community. 

“We’re committed to supporting residents and ensuring they can enjoy peace and quiet in their homes.”

When the petition was launched, local residents said they were “sick and tired” of the noise coming from anti-social antics in a car park close to people’s homes.

They pointed to the almost “daily deafening noise pollution” and antisocial behaviour in what is the resort’s biggest car park that has become a magnet for late night trouble.

Mrs Longlands said at the launch of the petition that the behaviour of some drivers at the weekend had her at “breaking point”.

Residents have reported trouble starting at lunchtime on Sundays and getting louder as the hours passed, with drivers in cars with modified exhausts revving engines with the back firing described as “sounding like an explosion”.

Those who live in the vicinity of the car park have described the noise generated by some vehicles as “unbearable” and say that what is happening is driving them to distraction on an almost daily basis.

In addition, residents fear that as vehicles are entering and leaving the car park at speed and “racing along our roads”, that it’s only a matter of time before one driver ends up in a bad accident.

In the past, the internal layout of the car park has been modified in a bid to address the anti-social behaviour but it has continued, with residents saying “it’s a nightmare and we are stuck with it” and they need to have their concerns taken seriously.