Calls made for a curfew for youths in Ratoath to curb anti-social behaviour

Gardai need to put a curfew in place for youths in the Ratoath area, October’s meeting of Meath's Joint Policing Committee has heard.

The implementation of Anti-Social Behaviour Orders (ASBOs) was also recommended by councillors and members of the public in an attempt to tackle ongoing reports of anti-social behaviour in the community.

Residents attending the meeting said it was a “joke in the evening times” and that “something has to be done on a community level”.

One member of the public said that parents “need to parent their children” and that his own childminder has been chased up the road three times.

He added that he has no problem with the efforts the Gardaí are making, however, asked that they work alongside local leaders to resolve the issues.

It was claimed that some teenagers in the area no longer have respect for the Gardaí and when they should be “petrified of a squad car”. The same member of the public said “someone is going to give these kids a slap who doesn’t want to give them a slap,” adding that the Gardaí need to put a handle on the situation with a 10pm curfew.

Sergeant Declan Power, agreeing with many of the sentiments, said he did not think a curfew was a runner. However, he hoped that an increase in community policing units in the coming months can tackle the issue.

Particular emphasis was given to Steeplechase in Ratoath which has been subject to increasing reports of anti-social behaviour with residents afraid to leave their homes.

Another member of the public broke down in tears over the ongoing anti-social behaviour in the estate, telling the Gardaí to “admit that you don’t know what to do”.

She said: “We can’t keep going on like this,” adding that the teenagers are “laughing at us”.

She said her children are crying on a daily basis due to the ongoing criminal damages, asking how she can get evidence of this.

Sergeant Power said he understood her frustrations, however, the Gardaí alone are not going to be able to solve this issue, and that some responsibility lies with the parents. He added that these issues are across the whole Ashbourne district, however, they have finite resources.

On a council level, it was recommended that additional street lights be installed around the Ratoath area, making it easier for the Gardaí to do their jobs. Members of the public asked if a Garda Station could be located in Ratoath, however, that was quickly rejected.