Claims of anti-social behaviour and drug taking at Abbey Road bus stops

Life has become a "nightmare" for residents of Abbey Road in Navan since the town's bus stops were relocated to Abbey Road.

Anti-social behaviour has soared in the area with people loitering in the car park, drinking, drug taking, fighting and littering, according to local residents.

"People who aren't using the buses at all are now starting to congregate here and you have some people waiting for others to come in on the buses. They are drinking and taking drugs, our gardens are being used as bins and people are using the area to go to the toilet," said one local resident.

"People sit on steps and walls and leave drink cans and broken bottles behind. Many of them are not even getting buses but have begun hanging around there, sometimes waiting for others to arrive on a bus.

"One of my neighbours saw a guy lying flat on his face in the middle of the parked cars.

"Beer cans and gin bottles are left behind and we've seen people drunk and high as kites.

"I once saw three fellas lying across the bonnet of my car but I wouldn't go out to say anything because I'd be afraid of retaliation.

The resident says that as well as the anti-social behaviour, the noise from the buses themselves are a nuisance to residents.

"There can be up to six buses outside at any time, revving and then there is the constant recorded message 'Stay clear - the luggage compartment is opening.'"

"We have no issue with the bus drivers, in fact we get on well with them, but there shouldn't be a bus stop in such a residential area, the buses start about 5.30am and continue until after 12 at night.

"The buses also leave it unsafe to leave the car park, because you can have up to six buses parked outside the houses at any time," she said.

"We have been told they won’t move the bus stops until the new space is ready on Kennedy Road.

Cllr Eddie Fennessy said the introduction of public transport services to the area two years ago has turned the lives of local residents upside down.

"The area is home to a number of old age pensioners who are genuinely afraid to leave their homes for fear of attack. I've seen videos and pictures showing instances of violence, public order offences, open drug dealing, drink and drug use and associated litter problems."

He said there is a chronic shortage of policing resources in Meath. "As a county we have the lowest number of Gardaí per head of population in the state. Less populated counties such as Longford and Westmeath are far better resourced. This is not good enough.

"Communities under siege should not be forced to live in fear due to political inaction. The only solution is more Gardaí on the streets of Navan. I call on the government to properly resource Navan Garda station and end this nightmare for local residents".

Cllr Fennessy said there was also a huge problem with traffic congestion and motor safety caused by multiples of buses arriving on Abbey Road at the same time.

"I raised a number of concerns with Meath County Council who committed to contacting Bus Éireann to request that buses arriving on site should not queue for access to a stop but will perform a loop of the inner relief road until a space becomes available.

"Council also agreed to improve safety on the streetthrough the upgrading of public lighting."

A spokesperson for Bus Eireann said the Navan bus terminus was relocated to Abbey Road by Meath County Council to facilitate civil works in Navan town as local authorities are responsible for approval of bus stop locations.

"Bus Éireann is aware of some anti-social behaviour around this location and is working with An Gardaí Síochána and Meath County Council. We understand additional CCTV has been fitted in the area. All of Bus Éireann’s vehicles are fitted with internal and external CCTV cameras, while drivers also have a direct communications link to operation control centres.

"Bus Éireann will continue to work closely with all stakeholders on the operation of services from Abbey Road to ensure the safety of all.

"We encourage customers to make complaints to our Bus Éireann Customer Care department on LoCall 1850 836 611 or by email: CustomerCare@buseireann.ie," she said.