Keena expresses concerns over anti-social behaviour at Athlone playground

The frequency of anti-social behaviour at the children's playground beside the Clonown Road in Athlone is "reducing", according to Westmeath County Council.

The local authority addressed the issue on foot of a question raised by Cllr Frankie Keena at a meeting of the Athlone-Moate Municipal District. Cllr Keena had previously suggested a gated perimeter fence be erected at the playground to address the problem.

Expressing his concerns, Cllr Keena asked if the Municipal District was "comfortable to see young children playing in this area where at times used needles and empty cans are discarded around the playground".

In response, the council said the provision of high security fencing around play facilities "has not in itself" prevented anti-social behaviour from occurring at playgrounds.

"Improvements to the environment near playgrounds, and making the environment more inviting, has reduced the prevalence of poor behaviour," the local authority stated.

The council commended the support of local community groups, the Athlone Canal Heritage Committee, the Connaught Street and Environs Group, the newly-formed College Park residents' group and the District's community wardens, whose united efforts, the local authority said, had helped reduce the level of anti-social behaviour at the playground beside the Clonown Road.

Funded by the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme