Councillor Christy Hyland once again raised the ongoing problems with antisocial behaviour in local authority houses in Westport. “Where are we at with dealing with it?” he asked the town’s Joint Policing Committee meeting this week, as “people are sick and tired” of it.
Councillor Martin Keane said that one particular local authority house in Westport is being treated “like Hotel Westport” with the number of people going to stay in it at weekends.
Cllr Keane said that there were 14 people in the house one night and the nearby bench was being used “for a cider/vodka party”. The councillor said that he would “like to see action taken”.
Cllr Hyland said those coming to stay in this house are more than likely getting the price of the train fare to Westport from social welfare, and then taxpayers’ money is being spent dealing with the problem; “it’s a total joke.”
Cllr Myles Staunton said that he shared both councillors’ frustration with this matter.
Cathaoirleach of Westport Town Council Ollie Gannon said that every local authority should have powers to get tenants out if they are engaging in antisocial behaviour.
Superintendent Aiden Foley said that complaints are being dealt with and if those individuals who come to visit Westport are before court, and bail is granted, that he can ask for a condition of the bail for them not to return to Westport until their court case is heard.
