Members of the housing SPC were vocal in their condemnation of thuggery taking place in housing estates throughout Mayo, as other residents live in fear.
Before the committee was a draft anti-social behaviour strategy for the council. Senior executive officer Padraic Flanagan outlined that under the Housing Act 2009, it was a requirement for each local authority to adopt an anti-social behaviour strategy, which Mayo County Council has in place since 2006. This new document expands on the prevention, investigation, and intervention of anti-social-behaviour, in particular giving a more detailed account of procedures to follow when dealing with a complaint.
Ballina councillor Gerry Ginty said that if the document “does not have teeth” and is not implemented then “it is a load of bunkum” and “we might as well tear it up and put it in bin”. Cllr Ginty said that he is aware of people in the Ballina area who are living in fear of these “little thugs”, and highlighted the constant cases of anti-social-behaviour taking place beside a 24-hour-shop in the town.
The Independent councillor said that when cases are brought before the courts sentences are derisory, and he criticised the Government for not making houses available for purchase as, if people are not buying their house, “they are not buying a stake into the community”.
Cllr Annie Mae Reape said that she was aware of people in Ballina who had to leave their homes and move due to anti-social behaviour in private estates
Castlebar councillor Brendan Henaghan said that the issue with such behaviour in Castlebar is also taking place in private estates, where tenants on the Rental Accommodation Scheme are causing the trouble. He said that the lives of people who are paying huge mortgages are being made a misery by those who are not abiding by the laws.
Fellow Castlebar town councillor Frank Durcan said that even though the majority of RAS recipients in Castlebar are fine there are some causing trouble, which has left many private residents prisoners within their own homes as they cannot sell their homes as “no one wants to live beside these cowboys”.
Belmullet area councillor Gerry Coyle said that anonymous tips come in to the council about such behaviour as people are “living in fear” and that “these little thugs should be treated as a thugs”, yet, “if they break into my house and hit me on the head with an iron bar, I end up paying for the best lawyer for him from my taxes.”
Cllr John Cribbin said that residents’ associations in estates should be encouraged.
The draft document will go to public consultation and will be before the SPC at the September meeting.
