Anti-social behaviour leads to café’s closure
Teenagers who use the Ballinlough youth café, which operates out of Canon Horgan Community Centre every Friday night, have now been left with nowhere to go.
They held a silent protest outside the centre yesterday calling for the decision to be reversed.
They said the problems are being caused by people who don’t use the facility.
Local residents have complained about a rise in the number of people loitering in the area.
Windows have been broken and there has also been an increase in graffiti in the area. But teenagers who use the café said they shouldn’t be penalised because of the actions of others.
Up to 150 teenagers, aged from 13 to 17, pay 1 every Friday night to use the facility between 8pm to 11.45pm.
Youth leader Ciara Lyne, 18, said they have use of two rooms where they can play pool, air hockey, listen to music and drink hot chocolate and coffee.
“They pay 1 to get in, they get a stamp on their hands and then they are free to walk in and out during the night,” she said.
Other youth leaders and parents provide security and the venue is strictly alcohol free.
Ms Lyne said hundreds of teenagers were gutted last Friday when they were told of its closure.
“The café has closed when a report out yesterday shows how teenagers in Cork feel that there are no resources for them,” she said.
“Anti-social behaviour has been a problem in the area for quite some time but closing the café is not the answer.”
Ballinlough Community Association, which manages the community centre and which took the decision last week to close the café, met yesterday to discuss its future.
The café will not be open tomorrow night but further meetings are planned to resolve the issue.
