‘Serious concerns’ at level of anti-social behaviour at shops

ISSUES with anti-social behaviour in the area surrounding Citywest Shopping Centre has escalated in recent weeks, as residents are concerned about an intimidating group that has been causing issues in the locality.

Over the summer months, there were issues with groups of teenagers engaging in anti-social behaviour in the area, however an increased garda presence led to a reduction in these issues.

Fianna Fáil TD, John Lahart, said he has been contacted by residents who said that while the number of groups of teenagers engaging in anti-social behaviour has reduced, the emergence of a new, slightly older group of people has been a point of concern in the area.

According to the residents, the group of 15/20 people gather from early in the afternoon through to the early hours, and have allegedly been shouting, swearing, urinating in public and taking drugs.

Deputy Lahart told The Echo that the residents who contacted him described the group as “hardcore” and menacing.

He said he has “serious concerns” about the shopping centre, adding that some people in the locality don’t shop in the shopping centre because of these issues.

“I have serious concerns about that shopping centre,” he said. “It should be a thriving, safe place for people to shop in.”

The issue was raised at a recent Tallaght Policing Forum meeting, where Inspector James Phibbs said community gardai are engaging with residents in relation to these issues.

The Echo contacted An Garda Síochána for comment, but a response wasn’t received at the time of going to print.