Antisocial behaviour shown in video ‘an isolated incident’

A VIDEO of anti-social behaviour in Hanover Park, Carlow has gone viral on social media, sparking outrage among locals.

The video shows three people drinking in the park and appearing to be intoxicated before two of them throw glasses onto the footpath, smashing them and sending shards flying everywhere. People were shocked by the incident, with some saying the park was no longer a safe place to socialise.

Deputy Jennifer Murnane O’Connor says she received several phone calls about the incident, prompting her to do a tour of the park with Supt Anthony Farrell.

Supt Farrell said that even though thousands of people viewed the incident on social media, the gardaí didn’t receive a single call about it. He urged people to report any illegal incidents to the gardaí straightaway and assured the public that all calls are strictly confidential.

“The problem is that people aren’t reporting these incidents straightaway, in real time. If we had got a call about that incident in the park, we would have picked up those men straightaway. As it is, to us it’s distant footage of three men, two of them throwing glasses. It’s challenging for us, whereas if we’d been told at the time, it would have been dealt with straightaway. What could have been an easy fix is now more challenging,” said Supt Farrell.

He continued: “Anti-social behaviour will not be tolerated anywhere. Our patrols are out around Carlow town, including Hanover Park, all the time. This is not typical; this is a one-off incident.

“There’s a mismatch between what’s shown on social media and what’s being reported to us. That’s the challenge that we have. If people are the victims of anti-social behaviour or if they see anything like that, please report it directly to us straightaway.

“We encourage people to come forward to us in the strictest of confidence. I’d also like to thank deputy Murnane O’Connor for her interest in this and I’d like to reassure people that this is an isolated incident. People enjoy the park all of the time, whether it’s enjoying the sunshine or playing a game of basketball.” 

Deputy Murnane O’Connor was also keen to reassure the public that Hanover Park is a safe facility that should be enjoyed by the people of Carlow.

“A few people called me about it, so I walked around the park with Supt Farrell. It’s a beautiful amenity right in the town. The summer is coming, so we have to be mindful of the people who use the park. People use the park all the time, safely,” said deputy Murnane O’Connor.