Weekend party wreaks havoc

Children were forced to carefully navigate around the debris from the weekend's antics as they returned to school Monday morning.

Many ended up with glass in their shoes, punctured bike tyres and in one instance a young boy was said to have been left scarred.

Residents in the area claim over 150 people descended on the area for a party which lasted through the weekend.

It's thought a convoy of taxis brought a lot of the revellers down to the location.

Parents of children at St Francis Primary school said the spot was a notorious drinking den.

"It has been almost every weekend for the past two decades," said one parent.

Another added: "It's a nightmare, every Monday we have to get around this mess.

"The other week one of the boys on his way to school fell and ended up with a scar down his face because of the broken bottles - some of the kids think it's a game playing in the glass, but it's an absolute disgrace."

Another parent claimed a group of men left the Woodville Arms on Saturday night to 're-live their youth' by drinking in the underpass.

Councillor Mary McAlinden said the police need to step-up patrols in the area: "For years we have been trying to get a solution to this problem.

"There was a scheme planned to put gates up, but there were some objections at the time.

"The council has a community safety officer and hopefully we can work to end this persistent problem.

"But I would urge residents in the area to report any such behaviour to the police, because the big incentive to stop this is when their drink is confiscated."

She added: "Residents have said there was a party right the way through the weekend, and over 150 people on Saturday night - some were taxied to it.

"The residents have said the police are normally quick to respond but they need to spend more time in the area and patrol it more often."

A council spokeswoman said the area was to be cleaned on Tuesday.

She added: "The Craigavon Community Safety Partnership (CCSP) has recently been contacted by St Paul's Junior High School regarding anti-social behaviour within this area.

"As a result, CCSP has been working closely with the Roads Service and they have confirmed that the wooded area close to the school boundary will be pared back to prevent access to the school.

"Furthermore, the CCSP have outlined the problem to the local Neighbourhood Policing Team and they recently carried out an operation in the area and removed a significant amount of alcohol from individuals.

"The CCSP, in partnership with the DPP, would encourage all residents to contact the police when any anti-social behaviour is taking place."