Concern over ‘drinking den’

WORRIED residents are pleading with the authorities to clean up an area near Kent railway station in Cork which has become a haunt for winos and litter louts.

One pensioner, who was afraid to be named, said he wouldn’t dream of walking after dark near ‘The 40 Steps’ and the footbridge which connects the Lower Glanmire Road with Summerhill North.

“There are a lot of very unsavoury-looking people who congregate in that area at night. A lot of them are winos. Many locals, especially elderly people, are scared to walk down around there after dark,” the pensioner said.

Another person, who also declined to be named, said the area had become a major drinking den after dark and pointed to broken glass and empty cans lying on the steps.

Even more alarming was the sight of literally hundreds, if not thousands, of beer cans and bottles which had been dumped below both sides of the steps and bridge on to waste ground. Bags of domestic waste, used condoms and nappies were also strewn around the area.

“It is a disgrace that just yards from the city centre and the railway station that we have a sight like this. Surely it is a health hazard,” the man said.

Another commuter added: “There’s so much scrap metal in the form of beer cans lying about that it looks like a recycling depot.”

Locals said those attending the drinking parties didn’t seem to be from the area.