ANTI-SOCIAL BEHAVIOUR: Members of Killarney Celtic FC have called on the Council to address anti-social issues in the Ballydribeen area. Pictured are: Tim Jones, Cllr Niall Kelleher, Cllr Niall 'Botty' O'Callaghan and Killarney Celtic FC Chairman Paul Sherry. Photo: Michelle Crean

By Sean Moriarty

Officials from Killarney Municipal District are to set up a working committee with all stakeholders to address anti-social behaviour in the Ballydribben area.

The move follows calls from Killarney Celtic FC who brought an online deputation, through Cllrs Niall Kelleher and Niall ‘Botty’ O’Callaghan, to Wednesday’s Killarney Municipal District meeting.

Club chairman Paul Sherry told the meeting of the difficulties the club faces as a result of continued anti-social behaviour in the area.

“I can list off various incidents of damage, trespass and all sorts of anti-social behaviour at all times of the day and night, and it has even become a sport now for some of these young people to be found running along the apex of the roof of the clubhouse, putting their lives at risk,” Mr Sherry told the meeting.

As the meeting progressed it soon became apparent the issues raised by the club are only a part of the problem in the area, he explained.

Mr Sherry called for Kerry County Council to secure property adjacent to the club’s playing fields. The site, owned by the local authority, had previously been set aside for use by Kerry Stars, but that project has been delayed due to funding and the site has become derelict.

“While I have asked that you look at securing the property, I feel very strongly that this is more than just a simple case of installing a fence. I think that is the easy option but I believe we all know that it will not solve this problem. There are wider social issues at play here,” added Mr Sherry.

The population of the nearby Ballydribben Estate has been growing in recent years but there are a lack of facilities for local youngsters and this is adding to the anti-social behaviour in the area, they said.

“The lack of provision of a local amenity or green areas for children for play purposes has not been a provision in these developments. In fact, at an information meeting of the residents prior to the last phase of development, when they raised the provision of playgrounds and green areas as an issue, they were directed to Killarney Celtic and Legion GAA Club by the developer as being ample provision.”

Town engineer John Ahern told the meeting that he would put a fence around the Kerry County Council property and that he would clear rubble from the site as the first step.

“Long term, there is need for overall engagement with all stakeholders,” he said. “The Ballydribeen residents need to come together with the club, and formulate a plan driven by the community."