Unruly teenagers causing mayhem in Downpatrick

Unruly teenagers causing mayhem in Downpatrick

17 October 2018

BUSINESSES in Downpatrick town centre are being forced to close early by defiant teenagers running amok, it has been claimed.

Mounting concern about an increasing anti-social behaviour issue will top the agenda during a meeting involving traders, politicians, police chiefs and representatives from a number of residents’ groups tomorrow evening. 

The meeting at the St Patrick Centre — which starts at 5pm — takes place against a back of increasing tension in the business and tourism sectors about the actions of young people in the St Patrick’s Square and nearby Grove Shopping Centre in particular.

Business owners and residents say they have been verbally and physically abused over recent weeks and there is frustration that nothing is being done to address an issue which some in the community fear could get worse. A number of parked cars have also been damaged.

It is being reported that some shops have closed early to protect staff, while residents who live  near the historic Grove area in the shadow of Down Cathedral have revealed they have been verbally abused.

Representatives from residents’ groups in Stream Street, Bridge Street, Russell Park and Lynn Doyle Place have been invited to attend the meeting which they hope will result in an action plan being devised to tackle a problem caused by what some have described as “feral youths.”

Grove Shopping Centre caretaker Peter Smyth, said businesses were frustrated that nothing is being done to address the problems and wanted local police to do more.

“Businesses have had to pull down shutters either temporarily or shut early to protect staff in the St Patrick’s Square area,” he said.

“While the trouble is largely centred on area between the Grove, the Saint Patrick Centre and the Downpatrick and Co Down Railway, it radiates out to town centre neighbourhoods and last week a number of young people climbed on to the roof at the nearby bus station.”

Anthony Trainor, of the Stream Street Residents’ Association, said local people, including those who work in the town centre, have had their cars deliberately damaged. 

“Residents’ groups are telling us that there have been assaults on adults and children. All this needs to stop and people want to see police doing more,” he added.

Jeanette McCarthy, chairwoman of the Tosú Úr residents’ group which includes the Lynn Doyle area, revealed parents were afraid to let their children out to play in the evening.

She added: “There is just no way we can let our children play around the parklands below the Cathedral. It is getting to the point where we have to go to Delamont outside Killyleagh with the kids to make sure they are okay and can play safely.”

Downpatrick councillor Cadogan Enright, who has organised tomorrow’s meeting, said the town centre issues were affecting the whole community.

“I have also been approached by residents in the Quoile Fold where senior citizens expressed concern that they are afraid to go out for milk in the evenings,” he said.

“It is my understanding that those involved in the anti-social behaviour are known to police so it“The fact this trouble has been going on for months is wholly unacceptable.

“Representatives of residents’ groups have been invited to attend tomorrow’s meeting to reflect how what is happening in the town centre is also spilling over into the areas where they live.”

Confirming the attendance of representatives from Downpatrick Youth Initiatives at tomorrow’s meeting, Cllr Enright said the organisation also wanted to ensure the young people it was responsible for could play safely in the town centre and surrounding area.