A TERRIFIED security guard was attacked by out of control teenagers last Sunday afternoon, amid claims that Bray retailers are under siege by gangs of unruly youths.

The two ruffians pelted the Superquinn doorman with a barrage of stones and rocks after he intervened to stop them stealing from the shop. He had removed them from the premises for the attempted theft but they returned with piles of stones and began the cruel onslaught.

Detective Inspector Frank Keenaghan confirmed that two Bray youngsters were arrested at the scene. The guard has since recovered from minor injuries incurred.

' There were cops all over the place,' said a witness who was in the store at the time, adding that the attackers were 'wild, completely out of hand.'

Just days before the mindless act of violence, Bray retailers had held a meeting in the Royal Hotel to tackle issues of anti-social behaviour in the town.

Gardai assured shopkeepers that there are to be additional gardai on the beat during hours of business.

He added that any incident should be reported to Bray Garda Station on (01) 6665300. There will be a further meeting in the Royal Hotel on Monday September 13 at 6.15 p.m. A large gathering of local retailers came together in the Royal Hotel recently to discuss issues of anti-social behaviour in the town centre and to make proposals for a safer environment for people to work and shop in Bray.

The meeting was arranged by Linda Fitzpatrick from La Belle and was chaired by Paul Finnegan from Finnbees. Also in attendance at the meeting were the Bray Chamber President, John Nolan, Deputy Liz McManus and Cllr. John Brady.

Representing the Gardai were Detective Inspector Frank Keenaghan and Retail Liaison Officer Garda Philip Sheridan.

'Over 60 retailers attended the recent meeting in the Royal Hotel representing businesses on the Main Street, Quinsboro Road, Castle Street, Florence Road and the Seafront,' said Paul Finnegan who is also a member of the Bray Chamber Executive. ' The local retailers had the opportunity to give their own personal accounts of anti-social behaviour in their premises and the problems this is posing for their staff and customers.'

The organiser of the meeting Linda Fitzpatrick from La Belle felt that the concerns expressed by the retailers were certainly listened to by both Detective Inspector Keenaghan and Liaison Officer Garda Philip Sheridan.

'We were certainly heartened by the positive attitude from the gardaí and we are optimistic that our concerns will be taken on board and reassured by the promise of additional gardaí on the beat during trading hours,' said Linda. 'We will be accepting an invitation from Inspector Keenaghan to visit the Garda Station and to review the CCTV system for the shopping areas in the town and to offer some suggestions as to how this system can be utilized to the greater benefit of the shoppers in Bray.'

Det. Insp. Keenaghan said that the local gardaí were acutely aware of the ant-social behaviour that was going on, however a lot of instances seem not to have been reported.

He said there should be a coordinated approach by the HSE, the Bray Town Council and the Garda Síochána. 'It must be recognised that it is a small group of individuals causing most of the disturbances that the retailers are reporting,' he added. Deputy Liz McManus and Cllr. John Brady both addressed the meeting and pledged their support to the retailers. They recommended that the

retailers make a submission to the Town Council's Joint Policing Committee and seek a deputation to address the next meeting.

The meeting concluded with the agreement that the problem of anti-social behaviour will be monitored over the next couple of weeks and a further meeting will be held by the retailers in the Royal Hotel on Monday September 13 at 6.15 p.m.

- MARY FOGARTY