Jenny Maguire: Sniggering at the Drury Street drinkers disguises a more sinister trend in our cities

"It increasingly feels like the spaces in our cities and communities are 'not for us' - and that's by design."

"The shops on the street retaliated. Bollards, signs and fencing were thrown up."

Dublin's Drury Street, a popular gathering place for youth, has seen a clampdown with the installation of barriers aiming to limit street drinking. This trend reflects a broader pattern where urban spaces increasingly feel unwelcoming to certain demographics, particularly young people. Shops have taken measures to deter gatherings, signaling a tension between local businesses and community use of public spaces. This situation highlights a growing sense of exclusion for youth in urban environments, raising questions about the accessibility and design of these spaces.

Read at Independent