Over 800 people have protested this evening in Carrickmacross over the recent level of ‘unease’ in the town.
From earlier this evening, there was a heightened garda presence in the Co Monaghan town as the protest got underway.
Over 800 people gathered at Cloughvalley Park in the town for the peaceful assembly prior to marching a number of streets including the main street.
Gardai had a cordon on place on some of the streets as the crowds walked along Farney Street and the Main Street of Carrickmacross.
Several people spoke at the protest including Independent Councillor Seamus Treanor who said residents don’t feel safe in their own town with what he says is a heightened level of anti social behaviour in the town.
He said, “we need our town back and we need a zero tolerance approach towards anti-social behaviour and Gardai need to send out that message loud and clear.”
The local representative added that, “all the other councillors within the area needed to step up to the plate.”
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Another speaker spoke of what he believed was a “lack of Gardai in the town” especially community Gardai, adding that “we need more Gardai out and about in the community, the way it use to be.”
That speaker told the people assembled, I'm calling all the councillors locally if they're not prepared to represent us and the serve the people of Carrickmacross, then resign because if you're not prepared to do the job you're elected to do, then let someone else in to do the job and see this town in a different direction.”
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A woman that spoke to the crowds gathered said, “we are fearful for our generations and for the generations to come.”
While another person that spoke asked, “where the councillors of the area were, adding that if they are not going to represent us they should retire.”
A singer performed a rendition of The Foggy Dew prior to the gathering making their way towards the town centre.
The peaceful assembly and march came to an end shortly after 8.30pm.
