Anti-social behaviour spoiled the good weather for many locals in Aghern recently, with the area around Aghern Bridge becoming a dumping ground for bottles, cans, litter and, more seriously, broken glass.
Concerns have been raised that, unless something is done to curb these anti-social incidents, the problem will only get worse.
“The local people who use this beautiful area treat it with respect and take any rubbish home with them,” one local resident told The Avondhu. “Though in recent years since it has been frequented by non-locals, the locals no longer come here to enjoy the tranquillity of the river bank, as they are subjected to drinking parties, fires being lit on the banks destroying the grassy areas and loud music blaring from car radios.
“There are now car loads of people coming from all over, who have no respect whatsoever for the place they are in.”
“Another serious issue with this area is there are no toilet facilities or bins as it is not a holiday resort, which some individuals seem to treat it as. The cemetery and its environs are being used as a toilet, which is disgusting and totally disrespectful to the many families who have loved ones buried there.”
The concerned resident also highlighted that a number of drownings have occurred in the river over the years, and with the increase in drinking and anti-social behaviour late into the night along the river, it is only a matter of time before something happens. Another issue, they said, is that young people have taken to jumping from the bridge into the river.
“Something needs to be done before we have a tragedy on our hands. The lifebuoy which hangs on the bridge has also disappeared, so there is no hope for anyone who gets into difficulty. I feel it necessary to highlight this ongoing issue and hopefully someone will do something about it, before someone here becomes another water tragedy statistic.”
