Garda appointed to Knockthomas

Knockthomas problems to be addressed by Gardaí

Michael Duffy

GARDAÍ in Castlebar have moved to address the ongoing anti-social behaviour in Castlebar estate, Knockthomas, by appointing a specific garda to liaise with the concerned residents of the area.
Inspector Michael Murray informed Castlebar’s town councillors of the appointment of Garda Michael Toland when he addressed last week’s meeting of the local council.
“We are fully aware of the situation that exists and of the concerns of both the councillors and residents and that is why we have made this decision. We will have a presence in the estate as much as we can,” said Inspector Murray, who added that in the main Knockthomas was a good estate and that many of those committing the anti-social behaviour offences were not from the area at all.
The local residents’ association again sent a letter to each councillor documenting incidents of anti-social behaviour which had happened in the estate since the last meeting of the Council. The residents did state that matters had improved but on the Friday prior to the meeting a group of youths had assembled at the steps on the estate and were drinking and making noise at midnight. The Gardaí were called and they chased the youths through the estate.
News of the continued disturbances prompted Cllr Blackie Gavin to again call for the steps to the estate to be closed off permanently, a call that was seconded by Cllr Kevin Guthrie.
However, Acting Town Manager, Patsy Bourke pleaded with the councillors not to progress the matter that far as he believed the Gardaí were getting on top of the problem and should be given a further period to see how they got on.
“I believe it would be foolish for us to jump in now and go against the wishes of the Gardaí,” said Mr Bourke.
Cllrs Gavin and Guthrie agreed to defer their proposal for the time being but only if the problems in the Knockthomas area were again included as an item on the agenda for the October meeting.
Residents of the area have addressed the councillors on numerous occasions this year and have being keeping a diary of the incidents of anti-social behavious that occurs in the estate.