Concerns about teenage drinking, over sexualisation of young girls and mobile phone dependence have been raised by North Tipp Councillors.
The issues discussed Nenagh Municipal District come after “alleged unsavoury incidents” were reported to Tipp FM following a teenage disco in the county on Wednesday night.
During a childcare presentation from the Children and Young People Services Committee or CYPSC, North Tipperary councillors outlined their concerns about issues affecting young people today.
Sinn Fein’s Seamie Morris – a father of four – says he fears for his young daughters when they go out and has seen first hand what the abuse of alcohol by young people can do – particularly the phenomenon of pre-drinking. He says women in particular are so vulnerable; many dress inappropriately and end up barefoot by the end of the night due to ridiculously high heels. Councillor Morris says it’s leading to all kinds of mental and physical health problems.
It was a view echoed by Councillor Joe Hannigan – as a publican he says there have been three hospitalisations following separate 21st birthday celebrations not by what they had consumed at his premises but what they had consumed beforehand – Councillor Hannigan added once he found a handbag left behind which had three quarters of a “nagin” of vodka in it and a receipt for several other nagins as well as multiple cans of beer. The councillor says he has seen young people in horrific conditions and that it’s doing serous damage to their bodies.
Other councillors too expressed concerns – Cathaoirleach Phyl Bugler says mobile phones seemed to be jammed to young people’s hands “like a pound of butter” and if they are not involved in the latest Snap Chat or What’s App group message that it leads to stress which she feels can have long-term mental issues while other local representatives expressed concern about limited physical activities offered in schools and general support deficits for young people.
