'˜Use of resources' over drunk teen in Cookstown prompts police warning to parents

Police in Cookstown are asking parents to 'take some responsibility' for what their children get up to after a paramedic, three police officers and an ambulance crew had to tend to a teenage girl who couldn't stand up on Friday night.

Hitting out at the use of resources, they posted a warning posted on their Facebook page, saying: “Parents please know where you child is going and what they are getting up to and take some responsibility otherwise police may be calling at your door as well as Social Services.”

The warning came after the revelation that a number of emergency services personnel had to tend to a girl who was so drunk that she didn’t make it as far as Friday night’s teenage disco.

“What does a rapid response paramedic, three police officers and an ambulance crew all have in common?” they said.

Bottles of alcohol taken from kids in Coalisland

“They all tended to a very intoxicated 15-year-old female who was found on James Street, Cookstown on Friday night.

“Needless to say the girl didn’t make it as far as the teenage disco as she couldn’t even stand let alone dance the night away.

“Folks, we want the young people out there to go out and have a fun and safe night but let’s be honest; this isn’t exactly the best use of resources on a busy Friday night,” they continued.

“Thankfully all this young girl ended up with was a sore head! #KeepingPeopleSafe.”

Meanwhile in Coalisland, four bottles (three ten-glass) of vodka and two bottles of Buckfast were also confiscated from underage children over the weekend.

“Officers from Cookstown NPT patrolling Coalisland tonight (Saturday) recovered several bottles of alcohol from underage children,” an online post said.

“Parents please know where your children are and what they are up to. The quantity of spirits in this instance could have led to serious safety concerns for the children involved.”