Community anger in Mayo town over sustained fireworks disruption

Residents of the community in Balla are up in arms over the sustained fireworks disruption in the town during last night's Halloween celebrations.

Complaints were made to An Garda Siochána as the racket went on for up to three hours.

The situation was particularly frustrating and annoying for owners of pets that were distressed by the repeated clamour.

It is understood the housing estates of Moat and College Woods were the worst affected.

Gardaí were on site in both estates following complaints from residents.  

A disused property on the entrance laneway to the local secondary school is reported to have been used by those setting off the fireworks.

Now action is being demanded to curb gatherings at this location to prevent a repeat of this problem, which also had been evident for the past three weeks leading up to the Halloween break.

Unless purchased under licence, fireworks are illegal in Ireland - but they are openly sold online.