Skateboarders spoiling city centre, claims councillor
By-laws should be introduced to ban such activity in the city and particularly along the city plaza, according to city councillor Mary O’Halloran.
She said the area is being constantly damaged by such activity and the tranquillity of the area is being ruined.
Ennis Town Council in County Clare has already brought in a by-law which means anyone caught engaging in such activity in public places is fined €1,200. The Fine Gael councillor wants the same in her native Waterford.
“I’m appalled by the damage at the plaza here in Waterford. It’s an absolute disgrace. It’s being constantly damaged by these skate boarders and mountain bikers. Huge damage has been done to the plaza and large pieces are being chipped out of the seats there. Huge canopies have been defaced and polls holding up the canopy now state “Skateboarders Rule the Plaza”,” she said. The gardaí are constantly visiting the area and moving such people on. But they only go around the corner when the skateboarders and others are back, Cllr O’Halloran said.
“Visitors are nervous about going to the plaza because they feel threatened by these people.
“We’ve had people sitting down there and these guys are skating around them and over their heads.
“There is a skate boarding area assigned to them on the Cork road and they should be using it,” she added.
