Independent Irish Republican Tish Murray has called
on the electorate in the Farranshane ward Antrim
to ask all the candidates, “What are you going
to do to address and improve amenities for our young
people?”
Mrs
Murray said, “There is a recent and most disappointing
thrust especially by many council hopefuls to criminalize
all young people congregating with alcohol in various
woodlands or street corners throughout Crumlin,
Randalstown and Antrim Town.”
The
Farranshane Independent Irish Republican said, “Young
people cannot be blamed for failed police, failed
councilors, the lack of amenities and the NEELB’s
failure to provide an effective youth service for
all. It is a collective failure,” she said,
“that belongs not with our young people or
their parents but with those employed and paid by
the voters within the Antrim Borough public sector.”
Murray
said, “More than 60 young people, predominantly
nationalist, aged between 16–22 years who were
previously moved on by the police from Newpark,
Greystone, The Folly, Springfarm, Townparks, Crumlin
and Randalstown are now frequently gathering in
Rathenraw. Which,” she said, “is a typical
Antrim Borough quick-fix solution by the police
to appease party electioneering rants that scapegoats
young people who are saying it isn’t safe for
nationalists to drink in the local bars,” and
she added, “I know many adults who feel the
same way, not only about socializing in Antrim Town,
but also shopping.”
Murray
said, “Moving the problem on from one area
to another does not address the longstanding council
neglect of all our young peoples’ needs and
I confidently say all because many Unionist youths
gather to drink alcohol in the Stiles area after
they were moved on from the Steeple and other Unionist
areas in Antrim town.”
“This
convenient moving on policy,” she added, “is
duplicated in Crumlin and Randalstown”
Mrs
Murray, said, “I regularly accompany Rathenraw
youth workers and together we speak with the young
people drinking in our area. For example,”
she said, “we encourage our young people to
use litter bins, keep the noise down and to be good
mannered to all in the community. Our approach,”
said Mrs Murray, “based on mutual respect and
understanding, has helped to develop a good working
rapport with our young people. We have made it clear
to the young people that we understand their fear
of drinking in the local bars and we respect them
as people. In return we are urging the young people
respect our community to understand that many in
our community are apprehensive about drunken youths.
So far,” said, Murray, “this approach
is working. Now we need the political leaders to
do their bit for the young.”
