Teens terrorise Kilkenny neighbourhood on Hallowe'en night

A Kilkenny councillor is calling for more garda resources following what he described as a 'riot' in Loughboy on Hallowe'en night.

Videos circulating on social media show a group of approximately fifty youths, dressed in black and some wearing balaclavas, setting off fireworks in the built up neighbourhood terrorising residents and sending parents who were out with their children running for safety. 

Councillor Eugene McGuinness has called for an immediate investigation into what he described as 'a riot' in Loughboy on Halloween night. Following reports from concerned residents Cllr McGuinness attended the scene which he said was 'mayhem'.

"A group of over fifty youths, some wearing balaclavas, posting on TiKTok as they went,  descended on the area setting off fireworks and bangers.

"Residents who contacted me were terrified, with children crying and pets shaking with fright. The local gardai were called to the scene but could do little to stop the mayhem. This is a regular occurrence in the Loughboy area and more garda resources are needed to tackle the problem once and for all.

"With morale in the gardaí at an all-time low and overtime pay and conditions being questioned, scarce resources are being spread far too thinly across the county and as such garadí are unable to cope. I am once again calling on the Minister to step up to the plate, deliver the ­­resources necessary to keep our city and streets safe which quite clearly is not happening at the moment," he added.

A garda spokesperson confirmed that gardaí attended the Loughboy area on two occasions and dispersed a group of youths. No arrests were made.