AN OLD right of way in a residential area of Waterford city that has seen much public disorder in recent years is to be closed by the city council. The decision was reached as a result of members of the public urinating in people’s doorways, according to a city councillor.
At the first monthly meeting of the council on Monday evening, CCTV footage of the right of way between Ballytruckle and the Inner Ring Road was viewed by councillors.
Cllr Mary Roche said: “I think it’s an awful shame that we have to revert to blocking up areas.”
“These aren’t mobs of 20 youngsters; these are men walking up, not being egged on by anybody,” she added.
Cllr Tom Cunningham produced large quantities of recorded evidence of vandalism and anti-social behaviour at the right of way.
Councillors expressed outrage that no charges have been brought in relation to the incidents. The Ballytruckle area is heavily populated with pensioners.
The right of way is also used by parents of pupils attending the nearby St Angela’s School at the Ursuline Convent. Its closure will mean that pupils, residents and passersby coming from from Ballytruckle will need to walk a further 250m to gain access to areas such as Kilcohan, Avondale and Cherrymount.
Cllr Cunningham told councillors: “Despite the video evidence, despite the protestations of local residents, not one single person has ever been called to account for this ongoing scurrilous behaviour.”
