Hallowe"en 'absolute mayhem" - Cathaoirleach

HALLOWE"EN misbehaviour should now be classed as 'absolute mayhem and an excuse for violence' rather than any type of fun, claimed Kells Town Council Cathaoirleach Brian Collins this week. Gardaí and the fire servcies were stretched to the limit and even targeted in some cases in parts of the county claimed the Labour councillor. Even though there 'seemed to be less fireworks in Kells this year', he received complaints from people who felt 'terrorised in their homes'. The sale of illegal fireworks had to be stemmed, he said, and the Minister for Justice had to bring forward proposals to synchronise with legislation in the North, from where so many illegal fireworks were imported. 'We cannot tolerate an evening, which has become a free-for-all, where people can terrify their neighbours under the auspices of Hallowe"en fun. It"s an ancient festival, which should be hugely enjoyable if were more considerate of those around us,' he added. 'Local authorities had to play their part but provide alternative activities for young people, particularly older teenagers,' he said. Meanwhile, Drumconrath experienced some vandalism late on Hallowe"en night when a wheelie bin was set on fire, and a number of youths threw bottles and missiles at passing cars around 11.50pm. In Castletown, youths by the church hurled eggs and fireworks at passing cars, while a roll of ESB tape was placed across the road to create the impression that it had been closed off. The crowd dispersed quickly when gardaí arrived on the scene. Overall, the north of the county experienced less problems this year with Hallowe"en pranks, while the number of fireworks used remained high and lingered into the weekend.