Councillor Myles Staunton made a proposal at the Westport Joint Policing Committee meeting this week that a provision should be put in the Anti-Social policy document which will enable the “immediate expulsion from local authority housing” of anyone who lives in social housing and who allows someone who is involved in anti-social behaviour to stay with them.
The councillor said that there have been situations in the town when this would have definitely been the thing to do.
Cllr Martin Keane referred to a number of incidents which occurred in the town over Christmas—burglaries and anti-social behaviour, which caused great fear among the elderly.
Cathaoirleach of the town council, Cllr Ollie Gannon said that it was “fair comment” that a lot of people were concerned about what happened over Christmas and he congratulated the superintendent and gardaí for the way in which they dealt with the incidents. Cllr Gannon said that “Westport will not tolerate any anti social behaviour from anyone” and people who act in such a manner “should stay away”.
Town clerk, Ann Moore said that the town council would be the proper forum for Cllr Staunton’s proposal and the councillor proposed that it be placed on the next town council’s agenda. This was seconded by Cllr Christy Hyland.
