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by Caoimhinn Barr,
Inishowen Independent
A BUNCRANA businessman has called on Superintendent
Kevin English to deploy more guards on the beat in
the town in a bid to stop incidents of anti-social
behaviour escalating out of control.
Speaking at a Joint Policing Committee meeting
earlier this week, John O’Donnell said there are not
enough members of the Gardai visible in Buncrana,
particularly on weekend nights.
“Gardai are not seen on the streets here [in
Buncrana]. A guard in a car cannot see the problems
like one walking the beat. There are not enough
patrols around the town, in particular late at
night. It’s time there was more evidence of guards
walking the streets,” he said.
O’Donnell went on to describe an incident which
caused some concern and major disruption to people
in Buncrana recently.
“About a month ago, there was an incident when a guy
lay down in the middle of the road and refused to
get up. He would not move. As a result the traffic
was blocked all the way out the Cockhill Road,” he
said.
“Eventually the guards landed. First a Paddywagon
arrived, followed by two Garda cars and the special
branch. So obviously the guards are there but they
are just not seen. If an officer had been walking
the beat he or she could have dealt with the
incident quickly,” O’Donnell added.
Supt English said he would address the Buncrana
businessman’s concerns.
“We have certainly increased our visibility in the
town, especially on Saturday nights. It is not
possible to be everywhere but if I have additional
guards I will certainly deploy them [on the
streets],” he said. |
