Appeal issued following reports of stones thrown at Strabane homes

A COMMUNITY worker in Strabane has called for an end to anti-social behaviour which has been plaguing areas of the town in recent months.

Andy Gallagher of Melmount Community Forum says he has received reports from various areas that residents have had their homes pelted with missiles such as stones and bottles.

He recounted one incident where an elderly lady rose to investigate a loud noise and felt and broke her hip.

Mr Gallagher says, “I have been receiving complaints in the past couple of weeks from residents in Strabane, particularly in the Ballycolman, Springhill and Lisnafin areas, who have had their houses damaged due to things being thrown at them late at night. Initially, it started off with eggs but has since progressed onto bottles and stones. In addition, doors have been kicked which causes major distress to the homeowner. This kind of behaviour isn’t right and should not be tolerated and I would appeal for it to stop.”

LOCAL RESIDENTS IN DISTRESS

He continued, “These attacks can, and often do, cause a great deal of stress for whoever is at the other side of the door, which can sometimes lead to injury as well as mental health issues.

“There was one incident where an elderly lady heard a bang, got up to investigate and fell, breaking her hip. That lady had to spend four months in a nursing home because a care package could not be implemented to enable her to return safely to her home. My own father was victim of a similar incident, which also resulted in a broken hip. It was an incident from which he never fully recovered.

“It is not just the elderly who are affected. Imagine if someone with autism was the victim of such an attack on their home. Hearing loud bangs at all times of the night can have a serious detrimental effect on their lives. It can take a long time to get over such a thing.”

In appealing for an end to things, Mr Gallagher has urged those responsible to think about who is behind the door.

“I don’t know why the people responsible are doing this, what is going through their minds, but I implore them to think about what they are doing and what effect it might have on the people they’re targeting. What if it was their grandparent, father, mother, brother, or sister? How would they feel?

“I haven’t highlighted this to be accusatory in any way, but it’s high time we spoke with the young people and educate them on how their actions affect others and the pitfalls of what they see as ‘pranks’. Hopefully, that will make them catch themselves on. If they knew the damage that was being left in the wake of their actions, they wouldn’t do it.”

Furthermore, Mr Gallagher has highlighted the need for more programmes to be implemented to keep the youth occupied.

“We have three community centres in Strabane, and they need to open their doors past five o’clock. I would like to see youth programmes implemented in the community centres to keep the young people occupied in the evenings instead of hanging around on street corners terrorising residents who just want a quiet life.

“I have asked in the past, and will continue to do so, for a youth facility in the town where young people can gather and have an enjoyable time, without the possibility of annoying people.”