Urgent meeting sought with Chief Supt over anti-social behaviour

Fears that parts of Navan are becoming no-go areas because of anti-social behaviour were raised at a Meeting Navan Municipal Council last week.

The council is to seek a meeting with the Garda Chief Superintendent in light of recent violent incidents in the town.

Cllr Francis Deane proposed that the council write to the Meath Chief Superintendent asking that he introduce a Garda foot patrol in Navan on Market Square and Ludlow Street from

11pm on Saturday nights until 4am on Sundays, in an effort to address the anti-social incidents which are happening too often while people are socialising.

"We have seen random attacks on genuine people who are out socialising. Gardai on the beat would make a huge difference in that area," he said.

Cllr Padraig Fitzsimons said it wasn't just needed on a Saturday night and that these incidences were happening right across the town.

"A couple of years back, you used to see a garda on a bike around the town. Now that sense of a garda presence in the town is gone," he said.

"We had a man assaulted in Market Square during the week. Are we going to have no-go areas in the town, because of a lack of gardai," he asked.

"I am very disappointed that we have this problem. Navan is a very good progressive town," he said.

He noted that Cllr Tommy Reilly had sought a meeting with the Chief Superintendent, but to no avail. He asked Cllr Deane to amend his motion to say the streets of Navan rather than one particular area and Cllr Deane agreed.

The Mayor of Navan, Cllr Eddie Fennessy said there had been a number of serious incidents in the centre of town recently.

"Something has to give. People don't feel safe out there at night.

"I fully support Cllr Deane's motion. Increased Garda presence on the street at night will prevent much of the anti-social behaviour that blights our town centre, particularly at weekends."

It was agreed that the council would formally request a meeting with the Chief Superintendent regarding policing and anti social behaviour in the town.

Meanwhile, Cllr Damien O'Reilly has written to the Chief Superintendent with concerns over crime in the new Willows estate in Dunshaughlin,

"The Willows estate has 900 homes and is being targetted by criminals on a daily basis.

"There are car robberies and attempted car and house robberies. The proximity of the estate to the M3 and local back roads is aiding these criminals," he said.

He called additional patrols and resources for Dunshaughlin and particularly The Willows.

"At this point, I’m receiving hourly/daily correspondences from residents of the Willows estate. An increased Garda presence is needed within the estate along with nightly patrols in a Garda car," he said.

Cllr O Reilly was told an Inspector had been requested to liaise with him in relation to the concerns raised.

I would be grateful if you could consider this suggestion, as it's clear this estate has become a soft target for mobile criminals.