‘Cop on’ – local politicians call for end to feud

Those involved in an ongoing feud around Mullingar have been asked to “cop on” by a local councillor who has warned of the potential for fatalities if peace is not made.

Cllr Mick Dollard is urging those involved to “step back and cool off” as their actions are causing “considerable fear and apprehension” in communities across the town.

There have been a number of incidents over the last five weeks, including shots fired at a house, the discovery of a firearm and cartridges, acts of criminal damage, death threats, and assaults.

A significant garda operation has been under way in the town in recent weeks. Additional personnel were brought in from neighbouring counties, and there is an increase in plain-clothes garda numbers and patrols in certain areas.

While not commenting on any individual case, Cllr Dollard is now calling for peace and Deputy Robert Troy says that a clear message needs to be sent out.

Cllr Dollard says that peace is in everyone’s best interest.

“This ongoing feud is very unfair to the people who have to live in the various locations where this trouble has taken place,” he said. “It’s happening all over the town, and the people involved in the feud need to step back and cop themselves on, because innocent people are very afraid – there is a lot of fear and apprehension out there.

“Those involved need to have a bit of respect for others too.

“It’s all so bloody petty, and all they are achieving now is bringing their areas and estates into disrepute.”

Cllr Dollard, the longest-serving councillor in Mullingar, warned of the risk of escalation. “They have to desist because it could result in a fatality at some time in the future if you look at the weaponry now,” he said.

“When you are in an area where shots are being fired at houses, and you live beside it with young children, it’s terrifying for them.

“As a public representative and a peace commissioner, I would call on people to stop this now.”

Deputy Robert Troy says that “a clear message needs to be sent out that this high level of antisocial behaviour will not be tolerated in Mullingar”.

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Deputy Robert Troy says that “a clear message needs to be sent out that this high level of antisocial behaviour will not be tolerated in Mullingar, regardless of what section of the town it may be coming from”

“Any level of anti-social behaviour is not nice to see. It puts people ill at ease in their own and makes them afraid.

“What we have to do is ensure that the gardaí get all the necessary support so they can do their job and reprimand those who are the perpetrators. As a government we have to support the gardaí and provide the necessary resources to enable them to do their job.”

Most of the incidents have been concentrated in a few areas, and Deputy Troy says that he has sympathy for the people living in those locations.

“It’s very frustrating for people who are law abiding, go to work in the day, come home in the evening, or people who are retired at home all day, that have an uneasiness or a fear in their own homes. That’s not justified, in any society.

“We have to support the gardaí to enable them to do their work, to try and bring about a resolution to the tensions that are ongoing. And at the end of the day, there are perpetrators behind these, they need to be dealt with, with the full rigour of the law.”