Brian O'Shea (Waterford, Labour)

The phenomenon of gangs of hooded youths engaging in serious anti-social, intimidating, dangerous and unlawful behaviour is a serious aspect of urban life today and requires urgent attention by way of appropriate legislation and other measures. This was brought home to me in forceful fashion by events in the town in which I live, Tramore, County Waterford, in the lead-up to and at Hallowe'en this year. Many people in Tramore are left in a state of shock, anger and not a little fear. Tramore is essentially a well-policed law-abiding town not unlike many other towns of its type throughout the country. However, for some reason this year saw a marked increase in widespread serious disorder and anti-social activity.

The following is a description of some of the main aspects of this wholly unacceptable and intimidatory behaviour. Gangs of youths wearing hoods and Hallowe'en masks gathered at street corners and threw eggs at cars. Similar gangs threw eggs and stones at houses in housing estates. Bangers and other fireworks were let off in the public street. I understand an incident occurred where a gate pier outside a residence was damaged when a banger exploded. It was reported that a banger struck a girl on the shoulder and cleared a wall to land in somebody's garden. Gangs of youths threw onions, potatoes, tomatoes and eggs at passing motorists on the Ring Road. A hooded gang of approximately 40 people intimidated motorists by standing in the middle of the road without moving. Objects were thrown at passing cars near a major roundabout. Gangs of approximately 30 youths ran screaming and shouting and threw eggs at passing cars. Rubbish bins were overturned and a supermarket window was broken. It was also reported that gangs of up to 60 to 100 youths gathered at different times throughout Hallowe'en night in Tramore.

My recollections of Halloween until relatively recently are of a festival of good natured fun involving all the community, young and old. It used to be a time when young children called door to door collecting fruit, nuts and money and they were warmly welcomed and did their party piece in return. I was horrified to hear today of a six year old who dreads the month of October because of the bangers going off constantly.

Fireworks are an issue which I understand the Minister has indicated he intends to address. They are illegal in this State but are smuggled by the vanload or bootload from north of the Border. Some call for an outright banning of fireworks but I would consider this overkill. What is needed is strict control of their use. I understand that the legislation governing fireworks is 150 years old and that fines are derisory. I further understand that while fireworks can be confiscated from the person in possession of what is an explosive, that person cannot be charged with any offence. I look forward to the early publication of the detailed proposals of the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform on the proper control of fireworks.

The issue of so-called hoodies also requires urgent attention. Many members of the community wear hoods so that there are difficulties in making it illegal to wear them where they are obviously being used to frustrate identification in situations where crimes are being committed or where there are breaches of public order. These hoods, which are as effective as balaclavas, also significantly reduce the effectiveness of CCTV. Ingenious measures are urgently required to curb hoodie activity which is a particularly intimidating and frightening aspect of crime and anti-social behaviour.

I am informed that in the main the gangs I have described are made up mainly of boys and some girls, in the 13 to 16 year old age group. Parents have a major role to play in dealing with the problem of hooded gangs of youths. Parents of children in this age group should ask themselves whether they know where their children are at night. Parents who are aware their children are collecting bangers, fireworks, eggs, onions and potatoes in October and early November should take appropriate action to ensure their offspring do not intimidate or endanger others or damage property. Where parents are clearly in dereliction of their duty in the public conduct of their children, there is a need for appropriate sanctions to ensure that they face up to their responsibilities.

I have described a particular problem in Tramore at a particular time but the underlying problems with the hoodie culture are countrywide and happen all year. The Leas-Cheann Comhairle can verify that on Hallowe'en night a fire tender was attacked in Kilkenny. The windscreen was smashed and two members of the fire service had to have hospital treatment, albeit for minor injuries.

Enough is enough. Parents need to take responsibility for their children who intimidate others and causing them suffering. If parents do not do so, the State must intervene. The Garda must be given every support by the State, legislative and otherwise, to deal effectively with this serious erosion of the quality of life of many. Restorative justice, where the perpetrators are compelled to restore the physical damage they have done and are also brought face to face with their victims, is an avenue which must be actively pursued. This is about giving communities back to the people and restoring formerly happy occasions like Hallowe'en to what they used to be.

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