Longford is being held 'to ransom'

Cllr Gerry Warnock, the chairperson of Co Longford’s Joint Policing Committee (JPC), hit out at events of the past two weeks which have seen two men hospitalised following two separate suspected stabbing incidents in Ballymahon and Longford town.

The Independent representative went even further, saying: “It's an absolute disgrace what is happening amongst certain members of the Travelling community.

Also read: Teenager appearing in Mullingar court over alleged Longford stabbing

“There are certain families, that through their mindless actions, are holding this town and county to ransom.

“It's this type of anti-social behaviour that is having a detrimental impact on all the decent, civic minded people who are trying their level best to make Longford a better place to live and work in both for themselves and for their children.”

Cllr Warnock said in his role as chairperson of one of Longford County Council’s most significant political, community and voluntary sector forums, he was growing increasingly frustrated at the political correctness which often prohibited local politicians from speaking out on such issues.

Also read: Gardaí investigating stabbing in Longford town

The non party representative said those inhibitions were effectively allowing certain factions involved in lawlessness a free hand to go out and commit crime .

“I am sick and tired of having to appease the so-called PC brigade that is allowing these people to get an out of jail free card to continue with their criminality and anti-social behaviour.

“If people want to be treated equally they should be treated equally under the law no matter what their ethnic background is.
“It's got to the stage now where someone has to shout stop. These people need to be dealt with under the law and not be treated with kids' gloves because of their ethnic background,” he said.

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