THE rising level of anti-social behaviour at Elm Park, Castletroy, has long-time residents demanding protection.
The 30-year-old estate was in the spotlight again this week after a car was burned out at the entrance early on Sunday.
One resident who contacted the Limerick Post, was adamant that this incident was not student related, but more associated with families that have been relocated as part of regeneration.
According to another resident, who also did not wish to be identified, there is a serious problem affecting the estate.
“There were a lot of families relocated to Elm Park as part of regeneration and they have brought their feuds with them”.
Two months ago, a baseball bat was used as two men were injured following a street fight in Alder Close.
Local gardai said that this was more of a domestic row.
Earlier in the year, a house was attacked and at least one of the residents beaten with a baseball bat, for which he had to receive hospital treatment.
When asked why the residents association had not made Limerick County Council aware of their concerns, both claimed:, “The association will not highlight these incidents as it is comprised mostly of landlords that are trying to let their properties for student accommodation.
“It is like living in hell here in Elm Park. My children have never experienced anything like this anywhere else”.
This particular family was housed in the estate after a series of unfortunate events beyond their control,
“It was the biggest mistake we ever made but we didn’t know anything about the place, my son couldn’t sleep during the two weeks of his leaving cert because of all of the shouting and roaring going on around the estate”.
Although the family are now almost immune to the noisy antics of drunken students passing through on their way home in the early hours, they feel there are still issues which cannot be ignored.
“The noise is fine at night because you know it will stop, but when a party starts next door at 7pm and continues for the whole night with the vibrations of the music blaring, it’s too much”.
The primary problem with students, it was alleged, is windscreen wipers being ripped from parked cars.
Sergeant Seamus O’Neill, Henry Street Garda Station, responded: “I think a lot of residents get a shock when 10,000 students return to the area after the summer and make a bit of racket. You’ll find anti-social behaviour is no more of a problem in Elm Park than any other estate”.
The community garda spoke to incoming students last week about respecting their new community and neighbours and warned against anti-social behaviour.
“We will be patrolling the area and cracking down on drinking in public. Limerick County Council bye-laws will be enforced and a lot of euro 75 on-the-spot fines will be issued in the coming weeks”.
A car burnt out in Elm Park as some residents are concerned about the rising level of anti-social behaviour.
