BY MARK McKELVEY
THE popular Cappagh teenage disco held in Killyclogher Parish Centre has been abandoned due to an anti-social element in the area, with reports of youths drinking alcohol and causing criminal damage to local properties.
The decision is being blamed, not on those who actually attended and enjoyed the disco, but on an older element who, instead loitered around outside and, according to police, consumed alcohol.
The local parish priest, Fr Eugene Boland, said, "We have never had problems with the disco itself. Unfortunately, there is an element that is not interested in the disco that are creating an atmosphere of anti-social behaviour outside."
Despite many attempts to solve these problems, Fr Boland said they have proved fruitless, leaving no alternative but to close the doors of the disco for good.
"It is unfortunate, as many of the young ones are terribly disappointed and we understand their sadness, but we felt it just couldn't continue.
"It used to be held every second Friday night but we cut that back to once a month and aimed it more at 11- to 14-year-olds in the hope it would put off the older element but that
didn't really work, so we decided to cancel it altogether.
"It was beginning to create a bad image, with some of the shopkeepers in the area not terribly happy with it and I have had some calls from parents who were concerned. It is always a shame that the majority get penalised for the actions of a few."
A police spokesperson confirmed they have received a number of reports about anti-social behaviour by young people who at times associated with a disco in the village and are making extra efforts to tackle the serious issue of under-age drinking.
"Large crowds are attracted to the village on disco nights, though not all are intent on attending the event. Those attending the disco are mainly aged 11 to 14, but older youths hang about outside and the consumption of alcohol is an issue," declared the police spokesperson
"Youths are very resourceful in acquiring alcohol through a variety of means, and that includes building up stocks over a number of days and from a range of outlets throughout the general Omagh area.
"This is a problem we are looking to tackle with the assistance of pub and off-licence proprietors. Local licensees are particularly attentive to the problems and have developed systems that are curbing access to alcohol by young people.
"Police will be paying attention to the area and we would remind young people that anti-social behaviour committed on the spur of the moment could have a longer lasting effect on their futures if they acquire a criminal record."
Meanwhile, on nights of the disco there has been reports of criminal damage as youths run through gardens and rip out plants.
A Killyclogher resident explained the brunt of the vandalism was felt particularly by families living in the neighbouring housing developments near the main road.
She conveyed that residents were absolutely fed-up of the bad behaviour of the young people.
"Eggs have been thrown at my windows and objects hurled at the house," she said. "There are always incidents of bad behaviour but they seem to escalate when the discos are on.
"They have also come and kicked my door and raced off before I could get hold of them. I appreciate fully the rights of young people to have a good time but it should not be at the expense of others," added the woman.
