Councilor Cadogan Enright’s has highlighted the ongoing campaign of vandalism against health facilities in Downpatrick which is causing distress to local people and staff alike. Last weekend was a particularly wanton rampage by the small number of young local people responsible for 90% of the damage with multiple fires started and damage done to both Pound Lane and at the Old Accident and Emergency.
Cllr Enright said. “Staff at Pound Lane have told me that they never know what to expect when they arrive to work on a Monday morning. Broken windows, break, fire-damage and vandalism of all kinds. When I arrived on the scene on Monday morning, I found bins at the clinic burnt out, hoardings around the old A&E battered down and the remains of fires in Hospital Buildings opposite ST. Dillon’s Avenue. As far as I can tell the Fire Service was called out at least 3 times”
“All this damage and these rampages are being carried out by a very small number of older children, and their parents must be aware of what is going on. As a member of the Down Police Partnership, I intend to pursue this matter and ‘they’ and their parents should know that this matter is not going to rest.” Cadogan.
“I am calling on people to contact local community police officer John McKenna and report those involved at 07795152562. If you are nervous about talking to a ‘real person’ at the PSNI you can call ‘Crime Stoppers’ at 080055511”, continued Cadogan Enright.
“It is now time to stop this nonsense. If we don’t stop it new it will become much worse in the summer. Also those involved will become ‘habituated’ into this kind of behavior and will ultimately get into very serious trouble. The clean-up costs for all of this will have to be borne by the Health Service, and this diverts real money that could be used for front-line services into a totally wasted expenditure.” Concluded Cllr Cadogan Enright.