New bench in Clare town has contributed to 'anti-social behaviour'

CALLS have been made to remove recently installed seating in a Clare town due to an increase in anti-social behaviour.

Independent councillor for the Shannon Area Gerry Flynn requested that Clare County Council remove the newly installed seating near Carraig Lia estate in Shannon, after residents complained to him of having “suffered a substantial amount of anti-social behaviour.”

The seating was installed after Shannon Municipal District (MD) office identified a need for age-friendly seating in various locations across the town. 

“There is a particular issue with the seat. [Residents] 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,” Cllr Flynn said.

In his motion submitted at Monday’s Shannon MD meeting, Cllr Flynn also asked that the council “remove the stones adjacent to this seat on the public area outside the perimeter fence encapsulating the prefabricated structure”, as there had been reports of people throwing these stones at nearby houses.

Responding to the motion, Acting Senior Executive Officer of the Shannon MD Anne Griffin said that “it would be premature at this stage to consider removing” a bench that was so recently installed.

“The aim of this initiative is to support older people to go out and partake in walking and outdoor activities and to minimise isolation. The bench design meets accessibility standards in terms of height and armrests”.

However, she confirmed that Shannon MD office would closely monitor usage and behaviour at the Carraig Lia site, and that Cllr Flynn’s request to have the stones removed would be acted upon. 

The stones will be replaced with a hard surface “as soon as possible”, Ms Griffin said.