O’Connell St ‘out of control’, judge in Asbo case told

TOM TUITE

The anti-social behaviour problem on Dublin’s O’Connell Street is “out of control” while a “fear factor” is damaging business and putting people off going there, a court has heard.

Garda Superintendent Sean Ward, of Store Street station, succeeded yesterday in getting a judge to impose an anti-social behaviour order (Asbo) on 19-year-old Andrew Foley.

Foley, from Sarsfield Road, Inchicore, Dublin, did not turn up for his hearing but has had his access to the city-centre severely restricted for the next two years.

Richard Guiney, chief executive of Dublin City Business Improvement District, also gave evidence on the impact of anti-social behaviour at the capital's main thoroughfare.

He said that one study found that 36 per cent of people said they would not go to the city-centre “for fear of anti-social behaviour”.

Judge O’Neill heard that the application for the Asbo was being made because Foley had received at least three warnings within six months.

He agreed to grant the Asbo sought by Supt Ward and specified that Foley cannot enter O'Connell St or surrounding areas in Dublin 1 between the hours of 7am and 9pm for the next two years.

Failure to abide by these terms can lead to a criminal prosecution, a three-month jail term and a fine of up to €3,000.