Further Garda visibility needed to tackle crime and anti-social activity on Meath's east coast - White

CALLS have been made for a long-term plan to tackle anti-social behaviour and other incidents along the east Meath coast, amid concerns that Gardaí and other services are being forced to respond to problems on a largely reactionary basis.

Sinn Féin Cllr Maria White said increased Garda visibility had recently been requested in response to ongoing anti-social behaviour at Bettystown Town Centre, but warned that a more permanent approach was needed to address the issues facing the rapidly growing coastal population.

Cllr White said she had been engaging with the management company at the town centre, as well as community Gardaí and the superintendent for the region, over recent weeks.

She said additional Garda visibility had been requested and that there had been some improvement, but warned that this was not a long-term solution.

“The problem is that it's not good enough that the reactionary action is taking place,” she said.

“It wasn't a planned intervention. It doesn't seem like anybody sat down and said, 'Right, the summer months are coming up, what will we do? We will increase our presence.'

“When you have an issue that is escalating, there needs to be a quicker response from the Gardaí.”

Cllr White said the area was at a disadvantage because of its location between Balbriggan and Drogheda, both of which she said had received additional Garda resources to deal with issues in their respective areas.

She has written to the Minister for Justice calling for the number of Gardaí serving the growing coastal population to be examined.

“Our community Gardaí themselves have been straight with me, and it's not that they don't want to do the work. It's simply that they don't have enough people,” she said.

The concerns come amid continued frustration over delays to plans for a new 24-hour Garda station in Laytown.

A working group was established earlier this year to campaign for a fully functioning station serving Laytown, Bettystown and surrounding areas, with the rapidly growing population cited as a key reason for increased Garda resources.

The Meath Chronicle previously reported that the project had effectively been put on the long finger, with the Minister of State for Public Expenditure indicating that the Laytown station would be progressed following other Garda capital projects.

Cllr White said a dedicated community Garda based in the area was also needed to build relationships with young people, particularly those who may be vulnerable or at risk of becoming involved in crime.

“The whole idea of community policing is that the Garda would build up relationships with those very hard-to-reach young people, the marginalised young people,” she said.

“Unfortunately, there isn't that relationship being built up as best as it could be. It's not consistent.”

She said the shortage of amenities for young people was another issue, although stressed that a lack of facilities could never excuse anti-social behaviour.

“There have been continual cuts to youth services over the past number of years and this area is very underserved when it comes to amenities for young people,” she said.

“But it's not an excuse for that behaviour simply because of the lack of amenities. There's no condoning it.”

Cllr White said the planned community centre and park would provide much-needed facilities, but investment in amenities needed to happen alongside investment in policing. “What we need are more Garda numbers,” she said.

“I wouldn't be happy to see additional Gardaí in a beautiful building. What I want to see is Gardaí out in the community, visiting schools, linking in with youth clubs and the family resource centre and with the people who already know the vulnerable and those at risk of getting involved in crime.”

Her concerns come against the backdrop of recent fires in the coastal dunes, including a blaze at Bettystown Beach, following previous fires at the Mornington dunes.

Cllr White said the recent fires appeared to have been intentional, although she stressed that she was not an expert in determining the cause.

“It is thoughtless, mindless destruction on the beach,” she said.

“It is very upsetting for our community because we see first-hand the destruction that it causes to the environment, and it takes time for that environment to repair itself.”

She said the coastal environment was already under pressure from erosion and the risk of flooding, with fires adding another threat.

Cllr White also expressed frustration at delays in progressing a management plan for the Mornington dunes.

She said measures could be taken locally while waiting for the National Parks and Wildlife Service to progress its work, including fencing off damaged sections to allow them to recover.

She also called for Meath County Council to examine its role in beach management and consider updating its bye-laws to give beach wardens greater powers of enforcement.

“I think with the frequency of these fires now, particularly if they're intentional, we need protection and we need very quick responses,” she said.

“I don't think the idea of a retained fire service for this area in its own right should have been dismissed.”

For Cllr White, the issues around anti-social behaviour and fires highlight the need for a coordinated plan for the coast before next summer.

“You have the two issues going on this summer – you have the fires and you have the anti-social behaviour,” she said.

“They're the same issue in different ways, but we need a plan going into next summer in particular.

“It cannot be early August, halfway through the summer, before people sit up and say, 'There's a problem on the coast.'”

She said the rapidly increasing population along the coast needed to be reflected in the level of services provided.

“I would like to see the services, the council and all the agencies moving together a little bit more in terms of supporting the coast.”

Cllr White said the coastline was a major asset for Meath in terms of tourism and quality of life, but needed greater investment and protection.

“It is an absolute gem, this coastline, and I just don't feel enough has been done to protect it,” she said.