Walkway cannot be closed, says council

A DARK walkway on the edge of Waterford city which was the scene of an alleged rape last month cannot be closed off, despite residents’ pleas, Waterford City Council says.

The narrow walkway at Cherrymount, in Kilbarry, links the estate and the Tramore Road.

It has been the focus of much anti-social behaviour, the most serious of which was the alleged rape of a 14-year-old at the end of January.

Waterford City Council’s senior engineer says the walkway is used daily by the estate’s residents.

He added that it would be virtually impossible to block such a through-pass.

But city councillor Mary Roche says if the walkway is to stay open, it is critical that it be lit up.

She said the council should be obliged to put lights up in the area. “We should light it up at the very least. We should also put a proper path in the area.”

Residents in the area close to where the attack took place were quick to ask that the area be upgraded in the wake of the attack.

They wanted immediate steps to address problems with lighting in the region.

Fine Gael’s Maurice Cummins said the area was in need of urgent attention.

“The walkway has fallen into a very bad state of disrepair over the years.

“It was supposed to be an amenity area. But with the houses there, this short-cut is being used by people shopping or using the sports centre.

“It was never meant as a short-cut but it’s there now and the council will have to look at the situation. If it is to continue to be used, it will have to be lit up and repaired.”