Music venue to get teens off streets

Proposals to stop the disruption caused by groups of teenagers on the streets of Cork city at weekends are to be unveiled within weeks.

Supt Barry McPolin, the head of city centre policing, said gardaí are working with Cork City Council to provide teens with an alcohol-free afternoon music venue, most likely in City Hall, in a bid to entice them from the streets.

The weekend gatherings have become a major concern for city centre traders and shoppers. Groups of up to 40 young people, ranging in age from 14 to 17, have been congregating on parts of St Patrick’s St and nearby pedestrianised streets, mostly on Saturday afternoons.

A local politician said they create an intimidating atmosphere for shoppers.

There have been a number of fights and assaults and there have been several arrests for public order offences.

Gardaí have written to the principals of Cork’s secondary schools outlining their concerns.

“We are policing robustly,” said Supt McPolin. “Several people have been dealt with under the juvenile caution scheme.”

The proposed venue should help, he said.

Damien O’Mahony, the head of the city council’s tourism unit, said the teenagers’ activities are not good for the city’s image and are having a profound impact on businesses.

“It’s largely due to kids who have very little else to do,” said Mr O’Mahony. “Most of them are decent kids, but they are creating an intimidating atmosphere.”

He said the new venue will host battle of the bands competitions and discos, and will be piloted over the coming months.