Valuable garda time is being used on stopping young people trespassing onto vacant sites, a leading garda has said.
Garda Sergeant Paul Wallace, the Divisional Crime Prevention Officer, said the Bunbeg and Derrybeg areas of Gweedore have been faced with issues of young people entering vacant buildings this summer.
“Trespassing is an offence, it can be dangerous because if you are in a vacant building, people can come to harm. It’s a call on our resources that could maybe be better utilised somewhere else,” Sgt Wallace said.
“Whether people are having parties or whatever, very soon things can get out of hand and damage can be caused, and people can be injured.”
Sgt Wallace added that gardaí in the Milford District have been forced to travel long distances to respond to reports of trespassing, where resources may be needed elsewhere for crime prevention or patrols.
Sgt Wallace today issued a call to parents to speak with children about not entering other people’s properties.
“This is something that can be easily handled, but it can end up with unsavory results.”
