Anti-social behaviour in Navan 'getting out of hand' as residents live in fear
A local councillor in Navan has said the rise of anti-social behaviour in the area is “getting out of hand”, particularly in the Millbrook and Dunville estates of Johnstown.
Alan Lawes, an Independent councillor, has called for increased Garda presence and urgent action to support residents who are reportedly living in fear due to escalating incidents of intimidation, violence, and drug activity.
“Youths have been threatening residents, they have been throwing stones at windows, kicking at residents' doors. One particular woman, her child is now too scared to go out….this is getting out of hand,” Cllr Lawes told the Irish Independent.
“There have been homophobic and racial attacks on residents as well. Residents are in fear coming and going from their homes, children who are terrified to go out and play. People are being attacked on a nightly basis. They feel they are not getting enough support from the Gardaí.”
Cllr Lawes described incidents of families being forced to leave their homes, fearing for their children's safety due to teenage gangs targeting vulnerable residents.
“There are no consequences for these young people. Do we have to wait until someone is seriously injured before we act? This has been going on for the last couple of years,” Cllr Lawes added.
The councillor is urging the Government to respond by increasing resources in the area. According to recent figures, only 98 Gardaí serve the Navan district, with no dedicated Garda station in Johnstown.
“The number of Gardaí is too low. We need more, we need them to be seen in Johnstown. We badly need a Garda station in Johnstown. We also need more youth detention centres.”
Cllr Lawes also pointed to the issue of open drug dealing, which he claims has become a routine in Millbrook.
“There’s daily drug dealing around the Millbrook apartments — it has become so regular that people are turning up looking to buy drugs like a shop.”
As a possible solution, he emphasised the need for more community facilities to engage local youth and reduce anti-social behaviours.
“If we had a community centre and the youths had something to do, maybe that could make a difference.”
Despite the challenges, Lawes praised the majority of residents in Johnstown, a village of 12,000 people.
“The majority of people in Johnstown are good people and I love living there, we just need support to keep Johnstown a good area for all of us. We want to fight this and stand up to these behaviours.”