Dublin People - Anti-social behaviour angers residents

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Anti-social behaviour angers residents

Wednesday, 16 July 2008

RESIDENTS in a north county Dublin estate feel they are under siege as a result of anti-social behaviour in their area.
According to the residents, a recently opened laneway at Hampton Woods, Balbriggan, has attracted teenagers who are engaged in anti-social activity.
They say the lane has become a drinking spot for youths who leave empty cans and broken glass around the area and it is feared young children from the estate might injure themselves.
Local resident Sandra Delaney is calling for the lane to be closed off completely to restore privacy to the cul-de-sac.
“The amount of trouble we have had since that lane opened just isn’t worth it,” Sandra told Northside People.
“Some nights there are lads screaming and playing loud music while my children are trying to sleep.
“Some of them have even been looking over the walls, watching people in their houses, and when the gardai come they just run away through the lane.
“They are climbing up on our walls and just have no respect for our estate; none of this happened before that laneway was opened.
“Things were so quiet before. We all have young kids in this estate and it’s fairly new; we just want a bit of peace in the area.”

Sandra, who has two children, aged five and eight, said she wouldn’t let them go near the laneway when they play outside.
With the help of her neighbours she is hoping to convince Fingal County Council to close it.
“We have started up a residents’ association and are getting great feedback,” added Sandra.
“A lot of people want this problem sorted.
“We produced a petition which was signed by people living in the estate and we are planning to hold a meeting to discuss the matter in the coming weeks.”
A spokeswoman for Fingal County Council told Northside People that they have not yet received any application from the residents of Hampton Woods estate and said a number of procedures have to be carried out before any closure can be made.
“Firstly, an application citing evidence of anti-social behaviour or any other reason for closure of the lane would have to be sent into the transportation section of the council,” she said.
“This application must have support from a substantial number of participants in the area.
“The residents would also have to state how they wish the lane to be closed, such as via a gateway or some sort of barricade.”
The spokeswoman said the matter would then be discussed at an area committee meeting of councillors.
“A report from the meeting would subsequently go on public display for a period of time and bodies such as the gardai, ESB and eircom would be notified in case of objection,” she added.
“After this period of public display, the matter would be taken before an area committee meeting again for a vote where it would be decided if the lane should be closed.
“Residents should also be aware that any cost involved in the closure of a lane or roadway would have to be paid for by them and not by the council.”

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