The residents of Ferrybank were reeling this week in the aftermath of a spate of weekend vandalism that has left many people in the village frightened, resentful and angry.

“Everybody is worried that this ongoing anti-social behaviour will lead to a really serious incident or flashpoint as has happened in other parts of the country”, said one long-time resident who asked not to be named.

“Last weekend was bad but it’s nothing new because it’s been going on for a long time and the young blackguards responsible are getting bolder and more daring in their actions with every passing week”, he added.

The attacks began in the Marymount and Green Oaks areas when about eight cars had their windows smashed and interiors ransacked. One particular car belonging to a prominent resident had all its windows damaged. As the weekend drew to a close, businesses in Lower Ferrybank were targeted to varying degrees with Mulligan’s Pharmacy, the Spar Supermarket, Ladbrokes and Terry Rogers Bookmakers, The Keogh Medical Practice and Carry Out Off Licence all suffering.

A Bus Eireann coach parked in the nearby Bus Depot was also so badly damaged it had to be taken off the road. A recently installed bus shelter for the Kenneally’s City Service was methodically demolished within a couple of weeks.

Another caller to The Munster Express said they were hoping the gardai would deploy extra resources to stamp out the behaviour and secure court convictions. “There is no point appealing to these people because they would only laugh in our faces. There has to be a deterrent and if an example was made of a couple of the ringleaders in court, it might have an effect”, said the caller.