by Andrew Carey
RESIDENTS in the Garryowen of Limerick are being terrorised and live in fear of a gang of up to 80 youths who congregate every night, according to a Fianna Fail TD.
Deputy Willie O’Dea says that residents have told him of the escalating numbers that gather every night and although he has seen groups numbering half of what is claimed, he says the matter is very serious and requires more action by An Garda Siochana.
“I’ve been told that up to 70 or 80 people congregate and I don’t know if that is an exaggeration but I have certainly seen a crowd gather there myself that must have numbered 40 or 50 so it is quite a serious situation.
Speaking this week, Deputy O’Dea added that gardai are unable to deal with the gang which he claims is responsible for vandalising property.
Anti-social behaviour in the area is now escalating and Deputy O’Dea warns that a rapid and more robust response is needed to tackle and dissuade the group from congregating.
Asking the gardai to step up their presence and action in response, Deputy O’Dea called for “a more robust, more direct and a more effective response” to tackle the issue.
He said that is what “is going to be needed here, but I wish the gardai would get on and do it because it is a serious worry to a large amount of people who are struggling to get by and pay their mortgage etc – they don’t need this extra burden.”
