Residents concerned about rising violence in Kilkenny met local representatives this week to seek measures to combat the problem.
Members of a group set up last year, Kilkenny Against Violent Activity (KAVA), claim the situation is out of control and parts of the city have become no-go areas at night.
Gardai, however, say that while there has been an increase in drink-related incidents, Kilkenny is no less safe than other urban centres of its size. That view is supported by the mayor, Mr Paul Cuddihy.
Concern about the level of violence was expressed last week at the funeral of Mr Simon Hoyne (31), from Tullaroan, who died following an incident in the city centre 10 days ago. A man has been charged with his murder.
Father Peter Hoyne, a relative of the victim, told mourners the streets of Kilkenny were "full of anger" and "cannot be a friend to us any more". Brutal attacks had become an all-too-familiar part of life, not only in Kilkenny but on the streets of other cities and towns, he said.
Father Hoyne's comments have focused attention on the issue of late-night violence in Kilkenny, which has a lively pub scene and is a popular weekend destination among young people from Dublin and throughout the midlands.
When night-clubs close, several thousand people converge in the early hours on John Street and Parliament Street in the city centre. Supt Pat Hogan says this gives rise to inevitable difficulties but extra gardai are always on the streets on Friday and Saturday nights.
While later pub closing times meant more people were coming on to the streets in the early hours, Kilkenny was "by no means a dangerous city", he said. Young people from the city also expressed the view that it was a safe place to socialise, although there is a perception that violent attacks have increased in recent years.
Edwina Grace, a 24-year-old freelance journalist who writes a social diary for the Kilkenny People, has not seen a violent incident in the city. "I've always felt safe in Kilkenny, although you wouldn't walk around on your own at four o'clock in the morning. The number of random attacks does seem to have increased, but I'm out every night because of the work I do and I've never seen anything of that nature."
She agreed with a view expressed by other locals that, because it is a medieval city, Kilkenny has a lot of alleys and narrow side-streets which are best avoided after dark.
The secretary of KAVA, Ms Sinead Comerford, said residents all over the city were worried. "Kilkenny has awful problems and it's getting a name for itself. There was a time when a fight involved fellows having a boxing match but now knives are produced and bottles are smashed and used as weapons. There seems to be no respect for life any more."
Members of KAVA met the mayor, Mr Cuddihy, and other city councillors before Monday's monthly meeting of Kilkenny Corporation. Ms Comerford said councillors supported KAVA's demands for extra gardai, improved street lighting and more facilities for young people. "I felt it was a very positive meeting."
Mr Cuddihy said there was a problem which had to be acknowledged and addressed, but it should not be taken out of context. Kilkenny was no worse, and probably better, than comparable urban centres. There was a need, however, for street camera surveillance and extra gardai.
