'Serious concerns' of antisocial behaviour in these Kildare towns - Dáil hears

A Sinn Féin TD for Kildare South has raised “serious concerns” of antisocial behaviour in Kildare town and Newbridge.

Deputy Shónagh Ni Raghallaigh, speaking in the Dáil this week during 'Questions on Policy or Legislation', said she wished to raise the issue of community safety in Kildare South.

According to Deputy Ní Raghallaigh, constituents have reported “serious concerns” in both Kildare town and Newbridge, including violent incidents involving teenagers in public spaces as well as “persistent antisocial behaviour”, such as vandalism, intimidation and retail crime.

Addressing an Taoiseach, Micheál Martin, the Sinn Féin TD said: “While I welcome recent increased Garda presence on the back of public outcry, the visibility of gardaí is not yet sufficient and policing alone will not resolve these issues.

“It is important to acknowledge the lack of dedicated facilities and services for young people in these growing towns. Community infrastructure has not kept up with our growing population in Kildare. We cannot be surprised by these problems when young people are left without adequate supports or positive outlets.

“We need a plan for Kildare town and Newbridge for residents to feel safe in their communities again.

“Will the Taoiseach commit to a co-ordinated plan based on community consultation that combines effective policing with youth diversion and community services in rapidly growing towns like Newbridge and Cill Dara?”

An Taoiseach, responding to the Sinn Féin Deputy, acknowledged that both Kildare town and Newbridge are “rapidly growing”, and that there was a need to deal with antisocial behaviour.

However, he stated, a lot of investment had gone into sporting organisations, as well as into community-based organisations, with a view to providing alternative activities and opportunities for young people.

He added: “Then, along with that, we are getting increased throughput in Templemore, so we need more gardaí on the streets and we need greater visibility of gardaí on the streets. That is occurring but maybe not yet at the levels required in Newbridge and Kildare town.

“Hopefully, with the increased numbers coming through and out of Templemore, we will be in a position to increase the number of gardaí in the locations the Deputy has identified.”