Traders on one of Kilkenny City’s busiest thoroughfares say they’re taking a stand and enough is enough.
The problem of violence and anti-social behaviour being carried out by a small few people on Kieran Street has had a huge affect on their businesses.
Marie Keane of Tiffany shop on Kieran Street is just one of the retailers and shop owners who have spoken to KCLR News about their experiences of anti-social behaviour which they say is driving their customers away.
She says it’s been steadily getting worse over the past couple of years as young people gather in ever-increasing numbers under the arches of Dunnes Stores on the street.
However, Martin Crotty of Crotty’s Coffee House says it’s just a small few who are constantly causing issues.
Just under a fortnight ago, KCLR reported an assault had taken place at the bottom of the steps on the Butterslip, which joins the street, in broad daylight.
Martin says it was not only awful to witness, but terrifying for customers of his who were sitting beside that slip.
Another shop owner, who didn’t wish to be named for fear of retaliation says there needs to be somewhere else for these young people to go.
Just last Thursday night the window of the newsagents on the street was broken, which cost the owner €300 to
The business people are now banding together to tackle the problem and they say it’s time to reclaim their street.
