A Clare Councillor is urging local business to be judicious regarding sales of shaving foam and silly string this weekend.
A number of years ago 75 local businesses signed a petition calling for a greater Garda presence on the streets of Ennis amid concerns that visitors to the town did not feel safe due to the behaviour of teenagers.
Councillor Mary Howard is now requesting that the business owners within the town centre act judiciously when selling shaving foam and silly string to young people on the day.
“I appeal to all businesses especially on the route of the St. Patrick’s Day parade be sensible as to whom they sell these products to,” she said.
Over the last number of years visitors to the town and spectators at the parade were sprayed with these products, plus shoppers and business owners are being intimidated, as these young people are blocking path ways, laneways and entrances to shops.
“This is obviously having a negative economic impact on the town as nobody wants to stay in the town centre after the parade,” Cllr Howard added.
“Over the last number of years a number of local businesses closed their doors at 3pm as the town was deserted mostly due to this antisocial behaviour. St Patrick’s weekend is one of the earlier festivals of the season and it is important that locals, visitors and businesses have a positive and enjoyable few days,” she concluded.