Carrick United FC issues strong statement condemning vandalism in town
Carrick-on-Suir has been plagued by a tiny minority of teens intent on causing mayhem and destruction by throwing objects at vehicles passing through the town, in particular around the Fair Green area at drivers passing along the N24. This type of behaviour has been condemned by every right-thinking person in the town, as it casts a shadow over our community, giving off the feeling to locals and visitors alike that our area is unsafe to travel in.
Recently a bus of young soccer players travelled to our town to play their counterparts from Carrick in an important National Cup game. The bus became the target of a few local teens, who saw fit to throw objects at it. The group in question and their parents need to take a long hard look at themselves.
The famed St Kevin’s Boys travelled from Dublin to take part in a sporting event. The kids that they were playing train hard and spend all of their free time training to become the best they can at their chosen sport and it would be more in the little thugs line to spend time doing what these young athletes do, instead of hanging around causing trouble for others.
Carrick United were forced to issue a public statement condemning the actions of these small-minded individuals and it is indeed a sad day when a club with such a fine history, built on tireless volunteerism and dedication must go down the road of making such public comments.
The whole of the community stands with Carrick United regarding their statement which read,
“On Saturday, 12th April, our U16 boys team played St Kevin’s Boys from Dublin in the semi-final of the National Trophy competition. By any standard this was a big day for our club and town. As we at Carrick United have done for all our travelling teams, we made sure they were looked after and food provided for them after the game.
“Unfortunately, the game did not go our way but as in all sports we will dust ourselves down and go again for the next game.
“When the travelling team left our complex on their bus, they travelled into Carrick Beg and were confronted by a few youths who verbally abused them and most shockingly stoned the bus and broke one of the windows. This abuse continued as they left the Main Street going out the Westgate.
“As a club we have had numerous teams, from every county in Ireland, travel to Tom Drohan Park and throughout all that time we never once have we had an incident. To say we are shocked is an understatement.
“The reputation of Carrick United and the town of Carrick-on-Suir has always been looked upon as some of the best the country could offer.
“This incident has brought a shadow over our club and town and these individuals have not and never will be part of Carrick United Football Club. How dare they take on the responsibility of acting on our club or town’s behalf.
“We have subsequently brought this matter to the Gardaí, and we hope these culprits can be brought to justice and our club and towns reputation remain intact.”
Over the same weekend Carrick United’s neighbours in St. Molleran’s GAA Club discovered that a small number of youths had broken into their storage shed and spilled paint on machinery. Damage was also reported by the club to their playing surface.
A club, just like Carrick United and all the rest of the clubs in our town were built on volunteers doing something to try better their community. The moronic actions of a small few is very disheartening for those who tried so hard to provide top of the range facilities for the generations to follow.
Like Carrick United, St Molleran’s have reported the matter to the Gardaí, but sadly as all in the town know, the Garda Station in Carrick is severely understaffed. This is absolutely one of the reasons these youngsters think that they can get away with carrying on as they do.
The overstretched members of the force on duty are not to blame for not being able to police the town in a proper manner, those above them on higher pay grades who make the rostering decisions are the ones responsible, along with those elected into office to represent us at a national level who continue to ignore the decline in all frontline services to our community.