A Letterkenny councillor is calling for a laneway in a local housing area to be sealed off after a number of anti-social incidents.
The alley, known as ‘Packie’s Lane’ at Long Lane in Glencar, has been used by youths running from gardaí after committing crimes in the area, according to Cllr Gerry McMonagle.
Young people engaging in thefts and criminal damage have used the lane to escape the attention of residents and Gardaí, it is claimed, and residents want to have the area blocked to give them ‘peace of mind’.
Cllr McMonagle, who is the Chairperson of Donegal Joint Policing Committee is now calling for the owner of Packie’s Lane or their agents to immediately seal off the laneway between Fernhill and Fairgreen/Ard Glas.
Cllr McMonagle said the issue is not just a recent occurrence, as he had been contacted by residents in the past.
He said: “I raised the matter with Council but as it is Private Property there is very little that the Council can do. Over last weekend there was a rise in anti-social behaviour incidents in the Fernhill area with windows being broken and thefts from Property in the area with the youths responsible using Packie’s Lane to escape the attention of residents and Gardaí.
“On Monday and Tuesday of this week residents were once again subjected to further acts of anti-social behaviour Gardaí were called and with the help of residents apprehended one of the culprits and retrieved some stolen property, but again those responsible ran through Packies Lane to evade Gardaí and Residents.
Cllr McMonagle continued: “I am calling on the owner of Packie’s Lane or their agents to immediately seal off the laneway to stop it being used by these youths and to ensure that the residents living adjacent to the laneway are free from anti-social behaviour and get the peace of mind they deserve.
“I would also like to commend the swift response of the Garda and the vigilance of local residents in helping to stop these acts of anti social behaviour. Finally I would like to appeal to parents in the area to check with their children, know where your children are at and what they are doing as all of those involved in these most recent incidents were very young teenagers. “
