A Newtownhamilton resident has raised concerns for the area they now see as being “blighted” by anti-social behaviour after damage was caused to a garden fence by a driver with “excess alcohol in breath”.
The resident – who wished to remain anonymous to avoid any “repercussions” – contacted Armagh I on Monday morning (June 30) to highlight several incidents of anti-social behaviour that had occurred over the weekend.
Detailing the incidents which they claim to have occurred near the Dungormley area of the town, they said: “There was dangerous driving, suspected drug selling earlier in the night and then another incident where a house’s garden fence was driven into.
“Further from that there were large groups coming out from the pubs in the town causing huge annoyance for residents in the estate and park until 2am.”
This comes just days after picnic tables – which had been donated by a local community group – were destroyed by vandals in Jim Steen Play Park.
Ulster Unionist Councillor David Taylor condemned those responsible for the vandalism: “The damage caused to a number of picnic tables within Jim Steen Play Park in Newtownhamilton is absolutely disgraceful and only serves to impact on the quality of provision at the facility.
“The picnic tables were kindly provided by Newtownhamilton Community Association and are a great asset to the park and it is extremely disappointing to witness such wanton destruction occur.”
In response to the weekend’s incidents, police confirmed that a woman in her 40s has been charged to court following a single vehicle road traffic collision in the Dungormley Estate area of Newtownhamilton in the early hours of Friday, June 27.
The woman, has been charged with a number of offences including driving with excess alcohol in breath and failing to stop where an accident occurred causing damage.
She is expected to appear before Newry Magistrates’ Court on Friday, July 25.
As is usual procedure, all charges will be reviewed by the Public Prosecution Service.
