‘This might be the straw that breaks everything’

Some locals in Shercock say they’re “afraid to step outside our door at night” after members of the Garda Armed Support Unit were among those called to respond to a serious incident on the town’s Main Street last week.

Gardaí confirmed to The Anglo-Celt this week that they’re investigating a “serious assault” that occurred in the town at 5:15pm on Tuesday, November 14.

It’s alleged that one male was assaulted by another male.

Gardaí further confirmed that they are also investigating an alleged incident of “criminal damage” involving a car.

“Enquiries are ongoing at this time,” said gardaí.

The Celt has spoken with several local people who claim they are fearful to leave their homes at night as a result of an alleged rise in anti-social behaviour in the town.

“We’ve never had incidents like it,” said one person speaking to this newspaper on the condition of anonymity.

“It’s not right. But no one was talking about it... This might be the straw that breaks everything wide open,” they said.

The damaged car in question, as of last weekend, was abandoned three kilometres outside the town, at the Shercock GAA grounds in Carrickacreeney. Smashed windows were draped in black plastic and tape placed across the number plate.

Another person, also speaking to the Celt anonymously, this time for fear of possible reprisal, said: “We’re afraid to step outside our door at night. What’s happening is very wrong. There is no control. Where are the gardaí? They only come when something bad happens.”

They added that some people are even “too afraid to let their children play outside”.

Both people the Celt spoke to believe there should be a wider community discussion about what is happening.

The first speaker said: “I’ve been saying it for months now there should be a public meeting about this. People shouldn’t have to tolerate what’s going on. This is a small town, but with a big population. We need to make our voices heard.”