“We don’t think that’s a lot to ask for in a modern, democratic and first world society”
Two of Drogheda’s three women Councillors, Michelle Hall (Labour) and Joanna Byrne (Sinn Féin) set aside party differences recently to express their concerns about the safety of women in public places in Drogheda to Superintendent Andrew Watters at a meeting in Drogheda Garda Station.
Some of the issues raised were the safety of women walking down lanes such as Meatmarket Lane and the steps in Drogheda, which are pedestrian routes to residential areas.
The two female Councillors expressed the need for more visibility during the day and night of uniformed Gardai, less public drinking on the streets and in St. Dominic’s Park and queried gender-based violence in Drogheda.
“On foot of the recent reports of stalking and assaults in the media, we thought it was important to take a proactive approach and work with local Gardai to see what we can do to make the streets safer for women” they said in a joint statement issued to Drogheda Life today.
“Firstly, we were relieved to hear that these reports are isolated incidents, with arrests made in some cases. Supt. Watters informed us that at the moment, there are no trends of gender based or homophobic violence on the streets of Drogheda.
“However, they have both uniformed and plain clothes Gardai patrolling the streets and the Boyne Greenway.
“Gardai are being trained to carry out mountain bike patrols and Community Gardai are establishing a list of hotspots to target such areas where there is illegal public drinking.
“Many families avoid bringing their children for picnics or to play in St Dominic’s Park. That has to change.
“We want to ensure that women can walk safely to their homes and at the moment, places such as the steps at Highfield are overgrown and dark, even on a summer’s evening.
“We’ve requested that An Garda Siochana liaise with Louth County Council to make these pedestrian ways brighter and therefore feel safer.
“Meatmarket Lane often has gangs loitering or men urinating in public. Considering this is just off the main thoroughfare, this is unacceptable. It is reassuring to know that most of the main streets in Drogheda town centre have fully working CCTV. If an incident does occur or if women feel unsafe, they should ring 999 as soon as they can.
“Overall, we were reassured that our concerns were listened to and hotspots will be addressed” the two Councillors said.
“As Councillors we also know the role Louth County Council will have to play in ensuring that the public realm is a safe place for women and designed for gender going forward.
“In the 21st Century, we should have public toilets, bright lights, clean streets and a town that looks cared for. All this has a positive psychological affect on women who feel safer and don’t restrict their movements.
“We don’t think that’s a lot to ask for in a modern, democratic and first world society,” they concluded.
