*Photograph: Joe Buckley
AGE-FRIENDLY SEATING in Shannon is resulting in “a substantial amount of anti-social behaviour” including the consumption of alcohol, an elected representative has claimed.
Removal of the seating is viewed as “premature” by staff of Clare County Council. This is despite the efforts of Cllr Gerry Flynn (IND) to have the bench removed from Carraig Lia.
In a proposal put to the Shannon MD, Cllr Flynn asked that the recently installed seating be removed along with the stones adjacent to it on the public area outside the perimeter fence encapsulating the prefabricated structure. This was seconded by Cllr Donna McGettigan (SF).
According to Cllr Flynn, “residents in the neighbourhood have suffered a substantial amount of anti-social behaviour and feel that the seating area is a big contributor as a lot of unsociable behaviour has escalated in recent times from people congregating around this area”.
Anne Griffin, acting senior executive officer in the Shannon MD said that it would be “premature” to consider removing the seating considering that it has only been recently installed.
She explained that the Shannon MD office identified the required for age-friendly seating to be installed at various locations around the town “particularly in locations near to amenities, walkways, pathways and parks. There is a number of these benches positioned throughout Shannon Town. The bench design meets accessibility standard in terms of height and arm rests. The aim of this initiative is to support older people to go out and partake in walking and outdoor activities and to minimise isolation”.
Stones outside the perimeter fence will be removed and replaced with a hard surface as soon as possible, she confirmed.
Carraig Lia residents “have a particular issue with the recently installed seat and stones in the adjacent prefab,” Cllr Flynn outlined. “Residents are suffering with a substantial amount of anti-social behaviour between drinking, hanging out and making noise at all times and chucking stones at their property”.
He told the July meeting of the Shannon MD that he would revert to residents and ask them to monitor if a difference is noticeable, “once the ammunition is gone it might help,” he added.
