Andrew Williams

As is his usual style of tabloid "gutter" reporting, Edward Rooney at The Aucklander/NZ Herald doesn't let the facts get in the way of a good story.

Mr Rooney phoned me this week to enquire about an issue involving Mrs Shirley Squires at the Northcote Shopping Centre, where the centre administration had the Police serve a trespass notice on her for offensive behaviour. I informed Mr Rooney that I was not responsible for the trespass order but I had witnessed her unacceptable offensive behaviour at Northcote Shopping Centre during the Chinese New Year celebrations, and that I was aware that Mrs Squires had had a long history of such offensive behaviour in public.

I advised him that North Shore City Council a number of months ago had needed to serve a trespass notice on her for council buildings as she was intimidating and threatening staff, and causing a public nuisance. I was not responsible for this trespass notice either.

Some of Mrs Squires neighbours in Sunnynook have moved house because of her behaviour towards them. She has been arrested a number of times for such disturbances and for being a public nuisance, and was institutionalised last year by the health authorities when the situation became intolerable.

Many people from council and from the community have tried to help Shirley Squires over quite a few years but she ignores their assistance, choosing rather to harass and make attacks on people all around her. I understand she has similar issues with local MP Dr. Wayne Mapp, and his office has also experienced problems over a period of time with Mrs Squires.

Edward Rooney was aware of much of this information but chose to write a very slanted story making Mrs Squires out to be the victim. Unfortunately the truth, which Mr Rooney conveniently overlooks, is that many many people have been affected for a number of years by Mrs Squires' actions, and the patience of the community is coming to an end.

I hope she will accept help as its sad to see this situation happening for anyone.

And a journalist refresher course for Edward Rooney wouldn't go amiss, as it's very evident that he needs help too.