Anti-social acts in Kilcohan turn violent
Parts of the green areas in Kilcohan have been destroyed due to bonfires.
A woman has spoken about her ‘living nightmare’ living in the midst of anti-social behaviour in Waterford City.
The woman, who wishes to remain anonymous for her safety, has spoken to the Waterford News and Star previously about the scourge of bad behaviour, fireworks, bonfires and scorched earth in Kilcohan.
Earlier this week, she said that she had been physically accosted by multiple teenage boys, who began kicking her and hitting her.
She said: "They were 13, 14 years of age, they said they were 'going to get me'."
Though she reported the assault to Gardaí, she is not hopeful about receiving justice due to the age of the alleged perpetrators.
The woman has also received threats of violence from the youngsters on multiple occasions.
She said that children as young as 11 are out on the streets engaging in anti-social activities, alongside men in their 20s, who can be seen drinking and smoking.
She is not the only one affected by the boorish behaviour. An employee at a nearby shop said that the anti-social escapades are "scaring away" customers with their jeering and whistling.
Groups have set off fireworks and bonfires in the open areas of Kilcohan, leaving behind a trail of debris, waste and ruined greenery.
The resident has contacted Gardaí, members of Waterford Council and the Waterford Local Community Safety Partnership (WLCSP) for help.
Gardaí in Waterford are tackling the illegal use of fireworks as part of Operation Tombola.
While Gardaí have issued warnings to parents to not buy their children fireworks, reports of firework misuse continue to spread. Superintendent Gavin Hegarty of Waterford City Community Engagement Area recently advised parents not to buy fireworks for their children.
He said: "It is the intention of AGS to ensure that this Halloween season is kept as safe as possible for all our communities. In that regard, we are asking parents not to buy fireworks for their children. Fireworks are dangerous, and every year we see multiple serious injuries to young people as a result of them using fireworks, not to mention the disturbance and fear that they can create within our communities."
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