Garda take action on bus route disturbance

Anti-social behaviour investigation results in arrest

Westmeath Garda Siochána have confirmed that they followed up on a public disturbance on a local bus route and have prosecuted a youth in regard to the matter.

The matter was initially raised with the local police force by the local authority following discussions at Municipal District level.

In a reply to a query on the matter local Gardaí wrote: “I acknowledge receipt of your email correspondence and note your concerns.

“I can report that Gardaí are aware of the Anti-Social behaviour involving youths, some as young as 11 years old, on the 818 bus from Mullingar to Castlepollard. Gardaí have intervened and one youth was arrested and charged. He was brought to court, who directed that as part of his bail conditions he cannot use the 818 bus. The other children involved have been referred to TULSA. There have been a number of meetings with An Garda Síochána, TULSA and the children's parents.

It's apparent from the recent actions taken by An Garda Siochána that there is a reduction in calls with regards youths engaging in anti-social behaviour in Castlepollard and no new incidents have been reported on the 818 local link. Gardai are continuing to monitor the situation closely.”

The matter was raised at the December’s meeting of the Municipal District of Mullingar Kinnegad, when Cllr David Jones asked that the district write to the gardaí informing them of the issue.

That request came after claims that troublemakers were travelling by bus from Mullingar to Castlepollard, and engaging in anti-social activities there, accusations made by Cllr Jones and corroborated by Cllr Alfie Devine.

“Both myself and Cllr Alfie Devine would have received a huge lot of calls,” he said, stating that some of those with mal intention are also using the bus service to travel to Collinstown.

Revealing that there had recently been a stabbing in Castlepollard, Cllr Jones said while the issue could be raised with the new Community Safety Partnership (CSP), that would be too long to wait.

As a result, his proposal was that a letter be sent to the gardaí asking for “some sort of measurable action” to stop the alleged anti-social behaviour, which included damaging equipment in the local playground.

It was, he continued, “just terrible” to see the town being disregarded and disrespected in such a manner, especially since locals have such great respect for their town.

“I’ve nothing against Mullingar, but it’s just a small handful of people are coming out and causing huge issues for the town,” Cllr Jones concluded.

Cllr Alfie Devine backed up Cllr Jones’s complaint, and said he has raised the issue with both An Garda Síochána and with Transport For Ireland (TFI).

“They’re both working hard on it to try and get it resolved,” he said, adding that the authorities had met some of the parents of the young people who had travelled to north Westmeath, and have spoken to the bus drivers as well.

“So there’s work going on in the background,” he said.

“It’s just we need to keep an eye on it really, and keep supporting the gardaí,” he added.