Published: Wednesday, 28th July, 2010 4:49pm

Antisocial teens asked for ideas on Ratoath Riverwalk

by John Donohoe

Mary Wallace TD.
Pic by==: 97

Teenagers who have been identified as causing damage at the Riverwalk in Ratoath are being invited to come forward with their ideas for the riverwalk.

At a recent meeting of the Ratoath Riverwalk Committee, the impact of antisocial behaviour was discussed and Gardai say it is a small group of about 10 teenagers in the Ratoath Riverwalk area who are continously cropping up during their patrols.

Ratoath Riverwalk Committee chairperson, Deputy Mary Wallace, said: "Two months ago, a section of newly-planted trees in the Riverwalk were vandalised by antisocial behaviour. We all contribute to the payment of funding for this type of tree-planting, which is community tree-planting, and the question is why would young people from the community damage trees belonging to the community?

"The Gardai are to be praised for their constant patrolling of the Ratoath Riverwalk and frequently taking the names and addresses of the teenagers involved," she added.

The committee was surprised to hear at the meeting that the Gardai were recently approached by one adult enquiring why they were making life difficult for the teenagers involved by such persistent patrolling. "The Ratoath Riverwalk Committee does not agree with the ridiculous views of this one adult and are 100 per cent supportive of the work of An Garda Siochana in this area," Deputy Wallace said.

"The committee would like an opportunity of talking with the 10 teenagers involved in the riverwalk and the one adult involved and are calling upon them to come forward with their ideas for the riverwalk," she said.

A suggestion box will be maintained in the reception in Ratoath Community Centre for the next two weeks and people are asked to give their views so that, together, the community can go forward in the enjoyment of this riverwalk without this behaviour in the community, the TD added.

The 2006 Census maintained that 33 per cent of the population of Ratoath were under the age of 14, that 33 per cent are now under the age of 18 years.

The figures would indicate there are approximately 1,500 teenagers now living in Ratoath.

"This would also indicate that 1,490 teenagers are not involved in the antisocial activities and deserve the respect and support of the entire community as they move from one activity to another in a village that is full of activities for young people," Deputy Wallace added.

"The 10 teenagers that are involved in the Riverwalk activities are now asked to join in the bigger picture where the entire community can go forward in being a fabulous place for young people and especially for teenagers in the years ahead."

The Ratoath Riverwalk Committee decided that it would invite the Irish Wildlife Trusts Education Team, a representative from Fingal County Council and the Garda Crime Prevention Officer to the next Riverwalk committee meeting and to give their views on the situation from their expertise and experience gained from similar projects.

Following on from the meeting, the committee will then set out a plan as to how the project should move forward to have a riverwalk for the community that can be enjoyed by the whole community.

Deputy Wallace and Cllr Nick Killian met with the OPW and confirmed that the OPW is planning to clean the debris from the river and the committee thanked the OPW for this work.

The committee was informed by Meath County Council that Ward & Burke will be handing the Riverwalk back to the council in July. Meath County Council has confirmed that it has a fund of €125,000 for enhancement works after the installation of the sewerage pipe and ongoing maintenance at the area.

The committee also asked the council to assess the condition of the bridges along the river to assess what works need to be done to preserve the bridges and consider the possibility of putting a new metal bridge in place. Welded palisade fencing will be erected to replace the fencing that was removed.

The council will also plant trees and some daffodils and bluebells, and additional paths and lighting are also being considered.

The meeting concluded with Deputy Wallace thanking Michael Killeen, the retiring area manager from Meath County Council, for all his encouragement and especially for all his hard work with the Ratoath Riverwalk Committee over the past number of years.

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