Teenagers are causing chaos in Temple Bar and regularly stealing, fighting and taking drugs, local businesses have claimed.
The Dublin city area that's popular with tourists has become a hotbed for the anti-social behaviour with a string of incidents in recent times. Just last Friday a man ended up in hospital after a serious assault by a gang of teens.
The assault occurred on Fownes Street Lower at around 9:50pm on Friday evening. The incident is believed to have begun in a fast food outlet in Temple Bar Square before moving to the Fownes Street areas between 9:30pm and 10:00pm.
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Officers rushed to the scene following reports that a man was "being assaulted by a number of other men". The victim, who is in his 40's, was treated at the scene by paramedics before being taken to St James’s Hospital.
A teenager was arrested in connection with the incident. He has since been referred to the Youth Diversion Programme in connection.
And business owners have warned that it's just the latest issue within a string of incidents. Jeweller Alan Cooke told Newstalk that something needs to be done.
He said that "kids are running amok" and that "enough is enough". He continued: "They’re beating people up, they’re robbing them and partying. We need something to be done. They’re underage, they’re drinking, they’re smoking, they’re carrying on, they’re fighting and they’re starting rows with other gangs."
Mr Cooke also claimed that he saw a drug deal taking place between 30 or so people recently and called for a stronger garda presence in the area. But Temple Bar Company CEO Martin Harte said that the area is safe and he is happy with the garda response to incidents.
He said while the attack was "horrific" and that any anti-social behaviour is a concern, he is happy with the garda response. He concluded: "I’m confident they'll take absolutely positive steps to ensure visibility."
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