Former Garda superintendent hits back at anti-social behaviour coverage of Wexford town

A former Garda superintendent with 32 years’ policing experience has strongly criticised what he describes as exaggerated national media and social media coverage of anti-social behaviour in Wexford town.

Denis Whelan was reacting to recent reports highlighting disorder on and around Wexford Main Street, including a national newspaper article portraying the area as being badly affected by anti-social behaviour.

Mr Whelan said he accepts that incidents do happen but believes the picture being painted of Wexford is unfair and risks damaging the town’s reputation.

He said public order problems are not unique to Wexford and pointed to his own experience policing the town over many years.

Mr Whelan also urged people not to fuel fear through social media saying concerns should instead be reported directly to Gardaí.

He said: “Report to the guards. Leave social media for the positives.”

Mr Whelan also warned that negative coverage can have a real impact on how people view the town saying he had spoken to two elderly people from Rosslare Harbour who were afraid to come into Wexford because of what they had seen online.

He stressed that genuine anti-social behaviour should be tackled, but said the focus should be on solutions rather than what he described as “grievances” and “scaremongering.”