CCTV may be used at Inch Abbey

CCTV may be used at Inch Abbey

13 June 2012 - by BY DAVID TELFORD

SECURITY cameras may be erected at one of the district’s most historic sites in a bid to combat anti-social behaviour and litter problems.

The Environment Agency is considering the move to address increasing concern about unruly behaviour and litter being dumped at the Inch Abbey monastic site on the banks of the Quoile River in Downpatrick.

Agency officials are also alarmed at similar problems at Struell Wells outside Downpatrick and at Jordan’s Castle in Ardglass.

So concerned is the government agency about the problems it is considering, in the short term, employing a temporary ranger to clean up litter at all three sites. The officer would operate three times a day at Struell Wells and Inch Abbey and once a day at Jordan’s Castle. 

In the longer term, the Environment Agency has confirmed it is considering altering access arrangements at Struell Wells and possibly introducing security cameras at Inch Abbey.

Officials hope that by working with the community in Ardglass, this can lead to a reduction in litter problems at Jordan’s Castle.

The Environment Agency said it “knows only too well” problems with anti-social behaviour and litter at the two sites in Downpatrick in particular where bonfires have been lit by revellers.

The Agency said there appears to be a group of people congregating at Struell Wells late in the evening and “trashing the place,” explaining the fact that both it and Inch Abbey are remote from public gaze is encouraging the locations to be used by people who don’t wish to be seen.

“There is a long history of anti-social behaviour at Struell Wells with evening parties leading to vandalism and rubbish everywhere,” the spokeswoman continued.

She said it is assumed that good weather which attracted visitors to Struell Wells on June 2 resulted in the litter which was discovered the following day by visitors to the site. Some of the litter had been dumped in the historic site’s holy wells.

The spokeswoman added: “Litter is left by the public and it’s their irresponsible behaviour which creates the problem. Bins are not used, litter is thrown into the holy wells and bonfires lit inside historic structures revered by many as sacred.

“The Environment Agency will seek to increase its maintenance, but expects the visiting public to behave responsibly and respect their heritage.”

Councillor Patrick Clarke, who was contacted by a visitors who came across litter dumped at Struell Wells recently, has welcomed the action being initiated by the Environment Agency.

He added: “People should respect the many historic sites we are fortunate to have in our area. They are not play areas and should be cherished. Anti-social behaviour and littering is totally unacceptable and those who engage in such activity must stop. They need to show respect to these areas.”