Tensions high in Altnaveigh Park amid ‘traveller feud’
Newry MLA Mickey Brady has commented following his recent attendance at a community meeting.
Speaking about the meeting, which was called in response to antisocial behaviour and crime in the Altnaveigh Park area, Brady stated,
“I attended the meeting as I have received many phone calls to my constituency office from people who are genuinely worried that if the violence escalates any further it may result in fatalities.”
The meeting was chaired by Ewan Morgan of Community Restorative Justice, Newry and was attended by the Housing Executive, South Ulster Housing, the PSNI, Martin’s Lane Community Association and numerous residents from the area.
Brady continued, “It is good to see the community coming together to present the issues at hand sensibly and calmly. This allows the appropriate authorities to take whatever action they can. There have been allegations of a feud brewing between families from the travelling community and people from the area are worried that weapons may be used.
“The people have made it abundantly clear tonight that they are not concerned about the background of their neighbours living in the area but they simply want an end to the violence and anti social behaviour. I have questioned the Housing Executive on their housing allocation policy and the sanctions they can impose on tenants not living up to agreements.”
Brady said he proposed that a sub group be set up to focus solely on the issues raised at the meeting and this was unanimously agreed upon.
“Those on the subgroup will include the PSNI, the Housing Executive a number of community members and myself. The first meeting is scheduled for 31st July and I am looking forward to receiving feedback from questions asked of the Housing Executive and the PSNI.”
“I was somewhat disappointed that Newry & Mourne Council’s Traveller Liaison Group was not formally represented tonight. Perhaps this is something which can be rectified soon.”
He added, “Tensions are currently running high in Altnaveigh and residents should not be forced to live in fear of their neighbours. The sooner this issue is properly dealt with the better for everyone.”
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On behalf of myself and my neighbours I would like to thank the Martins Lane Community Assoication for organising the recent public meeting on the 24th July. I was initially concerned that the meeting would descend into a witch hunt against residents from a minority background within our community and the neighbouring Demense area. However the professionalism shown by the facilitators from Community Restorative Justice quickly removed my fears.
The CRJ chairperson empaised from the start that this packed meeting would develop around the principle of restorative practices and focus on the general lawlessness occuring in our area and to hold the housing agencies and PSNI to account for their lack of support to our communities.