Down District Councillor Eamonn O’Neill reported that the police are now involved and are currently gathering evidence with a view to prosecution. Cllr ONeill said, “ I would encourage parents to do what they can to make sure their children are not misled and don’t get caught up in activities like this.” [caption id="attachment_22579" align="alignleft" width="280" caption="Down District Councillor Eamonn O'Neill."][/caption] Cllr O’Neill also updated members that he has written to Roads Service requesting an extension of the 30mph zone on the Bann Road. He said, “This branch successfully lobbied some years ago for the 30mph zone to be extended out as far as the housing development on the Bann Road. However, it is clear that the zone now needs to be extended further out to accommodate the increase in traffic in and out of the amenity centre. This is important particularly in light of traffic coming towards the town on the bend. Keeping traffic at this slow pace that little bit further could help avoid accidents.” “I have also written to the Roads Service to consider implementing a 20 mph speed restriction on Burrenwood Road. This road has become particularly busy in recent times and this would significantly help to control traffic speed along it. “ Chairman John Duggan has appealed to events’ organisers not to put up posters around the town of Castlewellan. He said, “People should not be sticking up posters around a heritage town and they should not be leaving these posters to rot away and take away from the beauty of the town. If shopholders make such an effort to present their shop fronts in keeping with the look of the town, events’ organisers should not be allowed to ruin that by sticking posters anywhere they feel like. This branch appeals to those responsible to put up posters responsibly – which also means taking them down again.” Cllr Eamonn O’Neill congratulated the organisers of the Castlewellan Horse Show for yet another high quality event. He said, “Despite the bad weather, the Castlewellan Show was another great event for the town and all those who attended. It must the best one day show of its type in Ireland and attracts people from across the country. It is all the more disappointing that fencing erected in preparation for the show was stolen. The Horse Show Committee puts in huge effort to deliver a show like this and it’s disturbing that people would choose to steal from a voluntary group which gives so much to our community.”]]>