“and the role that they have played in creating the conditions in which anti-social behaviour thrives.”

The BBC report on the fire which destroyed the Twinbrook Social Club last night says “that the facility was extensively used by the local community but that people there had already vowed to rebuild.”

But the UTV report notes this comment from Sinn Féin MLA Jennifer McCann – who claimed that the club had, at times, been a centre for anti-social behaviour. 

The fire has led to several people having no employment as a result which, in this economic climate, is extremely unfortunate,” [Jennifer McCann] said.

If there is to be a proposed rebuild of the social club at this site it must follow an in-depth consultation process with the local community.

“Without this the opinion locally is that we would prefer to have nothing on the site than a return to what was there before.

And that’s brought a stinging response from the committee of Twinbrook Social Club

“Any problems which this club may have had are no more or no less than any other licensed premises in west Belfast. High levels of anti social behaviour are regrettably all too common throughout West Belfast.

“Sinn Féin would do well to examine the underlying causes of the social malaise which afflicts the area and the role that they have played in creating the conditions in which anti-social behaviour thrives.”

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