'Horrific' incidents in area of Kilkenny amid intimidation, vandalism and fires

Criminal damage, intimidation, projectiles hurled at homes, and rampant ongoing vandalism.

Residents in the Bellfield, Fiodh Mór and some other pockets of Ferrybank are no strangers to these issues, but a recent escalation of antisocial behaviour has many concerned.

That was certainly the feeling at a recent meeting of Piltown Municipal District, where it was noted that gorse fires started in the area (in the vicinity of the old railway bridge) have fuelled a wave of fresh outrage.

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Cllr Jenny Catt Slattery stated at the meeting that she has met with local residents in the area recently and emphasised that the stories they told her ‘were horrific’.

The area’s isolation, surrounded by green space, thick hedging, and devoid of lighting or CCTV, has become a playground for troublemakers.

Meanwhile, vandals have torn through fencing at the bridge to create ‘rat runs’ onto the greenway, further emboldening the chaos.

Kilkenny Live understands that a security company that had been appointed in 2020 to conduct regular patrols of the area pulled their services late last year for health and safety reasons.

“People are too afraid to go over the bridge in the dark,” contended Cllr Catt Slattery.

“There’s a young couple who have said that they are sorry that they bought a house there, another lady had to apply force to prevent a youth from gaining access to her property.

“It’s not nice that you can’t be safe in your own house.”

Cllr Fidelis Doherty stressed that “you can’t have young people thinking they own the place.”

“They have no respect, and are actually getting better at being anti-social. It’s not a good accolade to be holding.”

Cllr Pat Dunphy shared similar views, and asked: “If somebody commits a really serious crime [in the area]. Will they get away?”

“These young lads need to be apprehended,” he added.

Despite “so many positive things happening in Ferrybank,” as Cllr Tomás Breathnach noted, the shadow of intimidation looms large.

“Nothing is worth it if people living in their home, in their sanctuary, their castle, feel intimidated,” he said. He acknowledged an increased garda presence.

“I know they’re stretched but they spend a lot of time over there,” he said. “Yet the problem persists.”

Director of Services with Kilkenny County Council, Ian Gardner, stated that “it would be a shame to have to close down a facility due to the actions of a few.”

“We would be all for looking at ways to keep it open,” he added, explaining that the installation of proper footpaths, proper lighting and the resulting passive surveillance that such measures would generate has worked in similar cases.

“If we close it [access to the bridge], they’ll bust a hole through the fence,” he said.

Area Engineer John Tennyson stated that paths and lighting ‘would require significant funding but is a possibility’.

“It wouldn’t be part of our budget,” he clarified. “We would have to get funding, maybe under Active Travel.”

Tennyson explained that GDPR is the issue with CCTV surveillance ‘but that is something that should be looked at’.

“I have complete sympathy with the residents,” he added. “But essentially, it is an issue for An Garda Síochána.”

Kilkenny Live visited the area recently and spoke to some of the residents, who validated many of the stories that were brought up during that meeting.

Notably, those who shared their concerns did not want to be named or identified in any manner, for fear of reprisal.

One of the residents shared images of recent damage caused alongside the greenway due to the intentional lighting of gorse.

As summer looms, Ferrybank’s residents brace for more unrest, their calls for safety echoing across a community where many feel under siege.

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