Laois gardaí to examine CCTV from Portlaoise Leisure Centre disturbance
Portlaoise Gardaí issue appeal as they investigate pool disturbance involving young people
Gardaí wish to speak with patrons of the Laois Leisure Centre in Portlaoise as part of an investigation into a disturbance at the facility, which was attended by local officers this week.
Gardaí have also confirmed to the Leinster Express / Laois Live that footage from the Centre will be reviewed as part of an investigation into the disturbance on Thursday, June 11 to which they were called by management.
Confirmation that further investigation is to take place emerged after a senior garda was joined by a community guard at a meeting with Laois Leisure management on Friday, June 12, to discuss what occurred and what next steps would be taken.
It is understood that a group of youths in their teens disobeyed the repeated requests and then the instructions of the staff in the swimming pool to improve their behaviour which not only upset but also other members of the public in the facility at the time.
The refusal by the young people to comply left staff with no choice but to call for Garda support. It is understood that this led to a dispersal of the youths, though Gardaí did attend the premises where what happened was outlined.
Staff have also informed the police that while there had been some poor behaviour in recent days, what happened on Thursday was unacceptable and left them with no choice but to request Garda backup.
Gardaí appealed to any of the patrons who were present to contact them at Portlaoise Garda Station. They also invited some of the teens to come forward. Gardaí indicated that they expected to be in touch with local parents about what occurred as part of their investigations.
The incident was made public by the Centre manager’s on Thursday night when he also announced that it had forced hime to pause of complimentary access for secondary school exam students.
Seán Quirke, General Manager, Laois Leisure, explained why free access for students was suspended.
“This has been necessitated by the disgraceful behaviour of a large group this evening interfering with the enjoyment of our Aquafit and other customers, verbally abusing our hard-working team of staff and failing to follow lifeguard and staff instructions,” he said.
Laois Leisure operates sports and leisure centres in Portlaoise and Portarlington under license from Laois County Council.