PRESS RELEASE

11/02/2005

Deputy Kelleher hits back at Cllr. Kelly's inaccurate statement

Cork North Central Deputy Billy Kelleher has this morning hit back at the statement issued by Cllr. Gerry Kelly earlier this morning.

” It is clearly evident by the comments of Cllr. Kelly that he did not fully read the press coverage about my curfew zone proposal. Had Cllr. Kelly done so he would not has issued such an inaccurate statement.”

“The proposal that I am putting forward does not refer to all teenagers. It is a measure to deal with a small section of youths who carry out anti-social behaviour on an ongoing basis in specific areas.”

“It is obvious that Cllr. Kelly does not have this such youths gathered outside his house all hours of the night causing disturbances. Cllr. Kelly represents a mainly rural area. I have clearly stated that this problem is prominent in suburban areas.”

“At no time have I referred to youths involved in community activities as being part of these actions. The reality of it is that City Council along with section of the County are inundated with requests for transfers due to this type of behaviour, aside from the cost to the City at having to close off right of ways to prevent these groups carrying out their activities. Many of the other people effected by this type behaviour are private households, a high number of which are people living on their own to frightened to confront these unruly gangs.”

“ I would respectfully suggest that the Cllr refrains from making such future statements without doing his homework.”