Cork estate alley closed for trial period

An alleyway in a Cork estate which has been the scene of alleged assaults on women, drug dealing, and underage drinking is to be closed off temporarily to see if the measure helps reduce anti-social behaviour.

The opinions of people living in Barnavara Crescent, Mayfield, have been divided over how to tackle the anti-social behaviour which has dogged the estate for some time.

The majority wanted the alleyway closed but some, notably more elderly residents, wanted it kept open because extinguishing a right of way would lead to a much longer walk to church and local shops.

However, Cork County Council — which is responsible for the area, on the periphery of the city — has decided that it will close the alleyway for a trial period.

The decision was taken after a number of meetings between residents, councillors, and officials.

A majority of the council’s local municipal members approved the proposed closure for a period of six months, on a proposal from Councillor Ger Keohane.

The council will erect gates on either side of the alleyway and provide keys to three or four local residents who will be able to assist in the event of an emergency.

The council will liaise with residents before announcing when the gates will be installed and again during the six-month period.

Mr Keohane said he hoped the move would end anti- social behaviour in the area and at last bring peace to the residents.

It had been alleged that at least three women have been physically assaulted in the alleyway in recent months.

Property in the area has also been vandalised and young children find it hard to sleep due to excessive noise reportedly caused by teenagers.

“I have been fighting to have this done for nearly a year, having been asked by the majority of residents to get the council to do something about it,” Mr Keohane said.

Gangs of teenagers regularly congregate in the area and Mr Keohane said gardaí had been called to the estate at least three or four times a week over the past year.

He also said that the fire brigade had been tasked on numerous occasions to extinguish fires which had been started deliberately in the vicinity.

The council will also liaise with gardaí in the coming weeks and will seek their views on the situation at the end of the six-month trial closure.

Concerns had also been raised that, by closing the alleyway, the problem may only be displaced rather than solved.