Gay sex shock could kill off park life
HORRIFIED Dromore residents now fear to use the local park after news emerged that the town's historical viaduct was listed on-line as a meeting place for gay sex.
That's according to one public representative who said everyone he had spoken to was shocked by last week's report in The Leader.
It was revealed that the viaduct and McKee's Dam, on the A1 between Dromore and Hillsborough, were among 80 Northern Ireland 'cruising' destinations listed in a website directory, complete with directions on how to get there and suggestions of the best times to go.
Now the DUP's Councillor Paul Rankin says many people are staying away from the park for fear of what they might find or of being mistakenly identified with the website users.
And not only did it deny worried locals the use of the park, he said, but it gave the whole town a bad name and could easily deter people from visiting Dromore.
"The first I heard of it," he said, "was when I saw it in The Leader and I was shocked; everyone I have spoken to is shocked.
"We're talking about a public park, with picnic tables, and a school nearby, a place for everyone to relax and enjoy; not for this kind of behaviour.
"This is putting people off using the park and gives the whole town a bad name; when people hear about this it's going to put them off coming to Dromore.
"People who would walk their dogs there are no longer going to go near the park; people who would take their children there are no longer going to go near the park.
"Anyone who goes near the viaduct will be afraid of being labelled as something they're not."
Mr. Rankin said that as a Christian he was personally opposed to the practice of homosexuality, but that aside, it ought not to be taking place in public areas.
"That this should be taking place in a park where children play is absolutely disgusting," he said, "and I would echo police calls for those concerned to desist from such activity in public places.
"The people doing this aren't thinking about anything but themselves and they are not considering anyone else's interests."
Email to a friend
Print this page
Looking for...
Featured advertisers
Jobs
Search for a job
Motors
Search for a car
Property
Search for a house
Weather for Dromore
Saturday 18 May 2013
Today
Heavy rain
Temperature: 9 C to 12 C
Wind Speed: 10 mph
Wind direction: North
Tomorrow
Sunny spells
Temperature: 7 C to 16 C
Wind Speed: 10 mph
Wind direction: South east
