A Drogheda councillor has warned of a “dangerous situation” developing across the town as groups of youths amass large quantities of materials for illegal Halloween bonfires, with some roads reportedly being blocked by gangs dragging tyres and pallets to stockpile in housing estates.
Cllr Pio Smith told the Drogheda Independent that there were “serious concerns” about the activities of groups of youths who have for many months been hoarding materials to burn.
“There is a lot of material being gathered since May of this year for bonfires at Halloween, and we seem to have no way to stop it.”
He said the materials are being stored in residential areas, “leaving many residents feeling intimidated and powerless.”
“There are people who are living in estates in town who just feel powerless against these youths. There are elderly people living on their own.. if they say anything they could get their windows broken.”
Cllr. Smith warned of “real fears that there are gas canisters among the stacks of material being stored behind people’s houses, as these were found among the waste last year.”
“If they explode we could have a really serious incidents on our hands. They could kill or injure someone.”
The concerns were raised at this week’s meeting of Drogheda Borough District where Cllr. Smith said: “What are we to do? If we do nothing there will be no-go areas of Drogheda.”
Cllr. Anne-Marie Ford agreed, saying: “We have to ask the question, who is in charge in this town? If these youths are in charge then nobody is safe.”
Speaking afterwards Cllr. Smith confirmed that two multi agency meetings have been held with Louth County Council, gardai and elected representatives to “try to find solutions.”
“I have put forward the solution that we should offer an alternative to people for the Halloween season, such as a fireworks display. If this doesn’t work I think we need the garda Public Order unit involved and then get contractors in to remove these materials.”
“It’s not that we don’t want people to have fun, but these bonfires are against the law and they are dangerous, especially when you hear that council workers found nitrous oxide cannisters among the waste they collected at Moneymore last year.”
He highlighted incidents where “roads are being blocked across the town as material is being dragged towards estates. The dual carriageway was blocked as were roads up at Marley’s Lane by these groups.”
“It is just not acceptable,” said Cllr. Smith.
Last year council workers and gardai came under fire from missile throwing youths as they tried to remove a stockpile of tyres at Rathmullen and Moneymore.
“No one wants to see a repeat of those scenes, said Cllr. Smith. “But we cannot sit back and do nothing and let these bonfires go ahead, they are too dangerous.”
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