Shocking Youth Violence
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homes & businesses WiCkLOW Delivered to 44,500 LOCAL DARKNESS INTO LIGHT CHATTING BENCHES PADDY & JOHNNY page 2 page 6 page 16 DELIVERED TO HOMES & BUSINESSES IN: SHANKILL, ENNISKERRY, BRAY, GREYSTONES, DELGANY, KILCOOLE, NEWCASTLE, KILQUADE, ASHFORD, KILPEDDER, NEWTOWNMOUNTKENNEDY, KILMACANOGUE, LARAGH, MONEYSTOWN, ROUNDWOOD. TiRATHNEW, WICKLOW, GLENEALY, BRITTAS mesBAY, AVOCA, WOODENBRIDGE, ARKLOW, SHILLELAGH, TINAHELY, REDCROSS, BALLINACLASH, AUGHRIM, RATHDRUM, DONARD, DUNLAVIN, CARNEW, COOLATTIN, BALTINGLASS, BLESSINGTON. SHOCKINGFriday 30th April 2021 First Floor, The Boulevard, Quinsborough YOUTH Road, Bray. A98 R6D7. Tel: 01 - 2869111 VIOLENCE E-mail: [email protected] www.wicklowtimes.net A shocking video of youth-on-youth violence was circulating last week, depicting teenagers fighting each other with hurling sticks and tasers. The brawl took place in engaging in anti-social respect of the matter." Charlesland, Greystones. behaviour including vio- Social Democrats TD The video shows a lence towards each Jennifer Whitmore has number of teenagers other. called out strongly for an fist-fighting, while others "No formal complaint increase in the number of hit each other with has been made in respect community police in hurling sticks and anoth- of this matter and no towns and villages across er brandishes a taser. The reports have been Wicklow in response to chaotic free-for-all was received of any injuries. rising trends of youth-on- filmed by other young The date of the incident youth violence. people that were standing has yet to be established. "Since the pandemic, around watching. Gardaí would encourage there has been a notable Gardai told Wicklow anyone with information increase of incidences Times: "Gardaí at in respect of this incident involving young people Greystones have been to contact Greystones engaging in violent acts made aware of a number Garda Station, including against each other. Often of social media posts any person who may have times these acts are circulating in respect of been injured as a result of recorded and spread what appears to be a the incident. Garda across social media. large group of youths enquires are ongoing in Recently, a particular Grace O’Reilly checking out the tulips at the Meetings of the Water, Avoca. incident involved a group ly dropped since 2010 down, we need to have spaces for young people so they are active and of young adults with when 23 were available serious conversations and involving them more positive members of our weapons which was across Wicklow which about providing safe in local decision-making communities.” recorded where many dropped to 14 in 2016 other young people not and which is now down involved, were then to 10 as of February of exposed to the violence. this year. This trend Bray "The scenes witnesses equates to an astonishing over the last week were 56% decrease in the absolutely abhorrent and number of community Osteopathic unacceptable. We are police in Wicklow lucky that no one was despite the increase in seriously injured or killed population and increase in that incident and this in violence among young Clinic has kind of behaviour needs people. to be stopped in its “In response to inci- tracks. I have been in dents involving young relocated to constant contact with people across our com- local community police munities, I have called on particularly on the recent the Minister and Garda Greystones incident and it clear that Commissioner to greater emphasis must increase the number of Patrick D'Arcy D.O. M.G.O. M.G.O.N. now be on the need for community police in our D.Phys. Osteopath has relocated his clinic to more community gardai local towns and villages. policing across towns and "Whilst not excusing The Watson & Johnson Centre, villages in Wicklow. the most recent violent "I recently questioned attacks, I believe that we Mill Road, Greystones, the Minister for Justice need to understand how Co. Wicklow, A63 WV59 on this and was given fig- decisions made by ures which reveal a con- Government in response Take exit 11 from the M11, the Clinic is situated a few tinuing decline in the to the pandemic has left steps from Greystones Dart Station/Greystones Library, number of community our young people feeling there is ample on-street parking. police across Wicklow. disconnected from soci- "Numbers of commu- ety and vulnerable. As By appointment phone: 086 866 8474 nity policing have steadi- we emerge out of lock- or [email protected] WicKloW 2 NEWS tilocal mes Friday 30th April 2021 Sign up for Darkness Into Light in Wicklow this year's Darkness into light for pieta House will take place on may 8th. one year on from when the country went into lockdown, pieta's services are in demand more than ever and they need the public's support. Even though it's called Sunrise Challenge as the world is very different this year people can walk run or take on any challenge they wish at any time of the day during Saturday May 8th ensuring Government guidelines are adhered to at all times. Despite the impact of Covid 19, Pieta helped 105 Wicklow people in 2020 and provided 1,638 hours of counselling through its phone/text helpline in 2020 and 2019. Calls and texts to Pieta’s helpline directly relating to sui- cide, self-harm and suicide bereavement rose by 25% in December 2020 vs. December 2019, and Pieta is expecting the pandemic burden to have far reaching implications through- out 2021. By taking part in Darkness Geraldine Mooney with CEO of Wicklow County Council Frank Curran and Cathaoirleach Into Light, participants will Pat Kennedy at the launch of the Wicklow 'Darkness Into Light' walk unite in every corner of Ireland to help shine a light on suicide In 2021, Covid-19 continues Darkness into Light, Elaine years. We are grateful too for and self-harm while raising vital to impact not only the nations Austin, Pieta CEO, said “We our Darkness into Light commit- funds for Pieta's lifesaving ser- physical health but its mental have all been faced with some tees who galvanise support for vices. health too; it has impacted incredible and daunting chal- the event across the country year Last year when it wasn't pos- everything from people's finan- lenges over the last year. Pieta is after year. It's important for all sible to all walk together for cial stability to their social here to support all of those in of us to hold on to hope and Darkness into Light, Pieta faced habits. People are struggling suicidal crisis and our free coun- Darkness Into Light gives us the a funding crisis, but Ireland with loneliness; a fact that is selling has continued, uninter- opportunity to come First EV charging points installed in Greystones! came together as one community worsened with physical distance rupted throughout the Covid together under this one common and got behind the event, with measures in place. Pieta relies lockdowns. Our clinical team purpose, to remember our loved Greystones has finally got its first Electric Vehicle charging points. hundreds of thousands rising at on the generous support of those provide services over the phone, ones and to help those Cllr Derek Mitchell, Catheoirleach of Greystones Municipal District dawn and sharing sunrise who participate in Darkness Into via text and in-person in twenty struggling at this time, and I do said “An objective of my year as Cathaoirleach of Greystones moments from across the coun- Light each year to provide this centres nationwide and, since hope you will all join us on May Municipal District was to get some Electric Vehicle charging points in try. important national mental health last year, we now provide free 8th.” the area. It was unusual as there were none. I am pleased that a pair of The support that shone service free of charge, 24/7. counselling over video. The local Wicklow Town through was nothing short of them have now been installed in Tesco car park and at the harbour. While Covid-19 has been diffi- “Darkness Into Light is cru- members of the DIL committee amazing with over €4 million cult Darkness Into Light is a cial in delivering the funds need- have been very busy lately The Council has agreed to install some in Shoreline’s car park as well. raised following a tremendous chance for communities to look ed to support this level of ser- promoting this life saving event More are needed but at least it’s a start.” public fundraising effort to towards brighter days to come vice. We have a great partner- and have received a wonderful ensure Pieta could continue to while sharing One Sunrise ship with Electric Ireland and reception from all the business's deliver their services through Together on May 8th. the company have been unwa- in the town who kindly accepted 2020. Speaking about this year's vering in their support over the posters and T-Shirts for the pro- Alternative routes to the motion of the event. Banners can also be seen at the various Bray-Greystones cliff walk entrances to the town. Members of the committee There are alternative routes to explore while the Bray to Greystones Cliff comprise of active members of Walk remains partially closed, Bray Municipal District has said. It is perfectly Wicklow & District Lions Club safe to walk from Bray along the Cliff Walk as far as Windgates steps. From along with staff and students of there people can take the alternative route which can be challenging for the Colaiste Chill Mhantain school. walker who can return on the Cliff Walk back to Bray. At the official launch and pro- The Greystones side is extremely dangerous and is closed in certain spots.