Large teenage gangs described by locals as "feral rats" frightened shoppers yesterday during a day of terror where they organised fights against each other at a popular Dublin Shopping Centre.
The young groups which were said to be "30-strong" took over the Castlemill Shopping Complex in Balbriggan on Saturday which contains a Dunnes Stores where most people in the area would buy their big shop from.
A large garda presence including the helicopter were reportedly deployed to the area during the incidents.
The noisy youngsters were heard shouting at each other all day long with fights breaking out throughout the day.
A witness told Dublin Live that it is always "the same bunch" and that they are creating a "bad atmosphere" in the area.
They said: "They're always yapping and barking at each other sometimes into the early hours.
"They are feral rats who should be banned from congregating near the Shopping Centre.
"All they do is create a bad atmosphere and cause trouble."
They added: "They are a big group of teenagers with some gangs having as many as 30 plus young people in them.
"There was a couple of big fights yesterday - they were hanging around all day. Constantly screaming and shouting, it's horrible."
The gangs are understood to have fled when Gardai arrived at the scene.
A spokeswoman told Dublin Live: "Gardaí received reports of a number of youths at a shop in Market Green, Balbriggan yesterday evening at approximately 9pm."
