Buncrana Mayor Dermot McLaughlin is to seek a meeting with Garda chiefs to discuss the rising problem of underage drinking in the town.Mayor McLaughlin was speaking after being contacted by the Inish Times following a “vox pop” of local people.Residents were asked about their thoughts on improving the town’s Main Street, however, many of those questioned said they were more concerned about the high level of under-age drinking taking place in the town.One woman claimed large crowds of young people gathered at the Shore Front to drink at the weekends.She said: “The noise level is terrible, then there is all the rubbish left behind, there are broken bottles and glass – everything you could imagine. I worry when I bring my children there in case they step in something and get hurt.” “I know some people will have the impression there’s nothing else for them to do and obviously there are a lot of young people who don’t engage in this activity at all. “But, some of those who are down there are really young and someone older is obviously buying the alcohol for them”.Mayor McLaughlin said under-age drinking was “a very serious problem” and “one which had to be looked into.”He added:  “I hope to have a meeting in the near future with the Superintendent to discuss the matter. It is a very crucial time at the moment coming into the summer and I want the Gardai take on it, I also think Social Services should be getting involved.”Several weeks ago, a report revealed children under the age of 12 were drinking alcohol in Moville and Cllr McLaughlin said a more recent statement showed children as young as 11 were drinking across Northern Ireland.He added: “It is a very worrying time. One of the largest problems is that the children can access the alcohol despite the age ban. It is up to everybody to look into it as it can cause serious problems down the line for the children and the parents,” he added.Buncrana councillor Padraig MacLochlainn said tackling the issue should be a community effort and there was a responsibility on parents to ensure the whereabouts of their children.He said: “I strongly feel that first and foremost there is a challenge and responsibility for parents to establish the whereabouts and behaviour of their teenage children at all times. “While, of course, the Gardaí have a responsibility to enforce our council’s public drinking ban, it really has to be a combined, partnership approach between parents, Gardaí and the wider community.”Cllr MacLochlainn said it was recognised that more amenities were needed for young people in the town and a number of community representatives recently met to discuss the issue.He said: “Recently, I and other public representatives attended a forum organised by the two secondary schools in the town, Scoil Mhuire and Crana College, on the need for additional youth facilities like drop in centres. “All present pointed out that community leaders in Buncrana and Cockhill Youth Club, the GAA and others were already providing amenities but a survey of students in the schools identified the need for a drop-in centre open at later hours and on the weekends.“However, whatever is provided, ultimately, it all comes down to the responsibilities of parents of the small minority of our young people engaging in these practices.”