Sinn Fein Foyle MP Elisha McCallion
SINN Féin MP for Foyle Elisha McCallion has described as “positive” a multi-agency meeting she convened to discuss safety in Derry city centre.
The meeting was held after a number of recent weekend assaults in the city centre.
TeenagerJordan McConomy died after he was assaulted during a night out in the city in September.
And former Foyle Search and Rescue volunteer Danny Payne was seriouslyassaulted in Newmarket Street last month after he tried to intervene in an altercation.
He remains in hospital after undergoing a number of operations to relieve the pressure on his brain.
Said the Foyle MP: “I felt it was very important bringing together a range of agencies and partners to discuss safety in Derry city centre, particularly at night time.
“It was a very well attended meeting and we discussed a wide range of issues which included licence premises, adjustments to premises closing times, safety on the streets late at night and taxi availability.
“In recent times we have seen the opening of new bars ,restaurants and hotels in our city centre.
“We have also a very vibrant night-time economy there which has grown significantly over recent years and we need to have the infrastructure to deal with that.
“And that we encourage this and allow it to grow in a way that puts the safety of the public first.
“There have been several actions’ coming of the meeting and a number of sub groups set up to deal them.
“One of the those being the need for secure night time taxi ranks in Shipquay Street with the likes of taxi wardens to direct the queues which happens in many other cities.
“We want people to be able to enjoy all that the city has to offer in a safe manner and that can be achieved through creative thinking and partnership working,” she added.
