by Kathy Masterson
LIMERICK does not have adequate garda numbers to deal with crime and anti-social behaviour in certain areas of the city, according to members of Limerick City and County Council.
Limerick City West councillor Joe Leddin told this month’s Metropolitan District meeting: “There are huge issues in relation to crime and anti-social behaviour in Weston. Only last week another house was burnt out. There are serious issues in terms of anti-social behaviour and intimidation going on in that community on a daily basis.”
City East councillor Kieran O’Hanlon noted that “crime and vandalism is an issue still” and claimed that he recently spent ten minutes trying to call Henry Street garda station to report a stolen car.
He added: “We don’t have a sufficient number of gardaí in Limerick to deal with the individuals who need to be dealt with”.
His Fianna Fáil colleague and City West councillor James Collins said; “It’s not for politicians or officials to implement law and order” and suggested writing to the Minister for Justice appealing for additional gardaí to be deployed in Limerick.
Fellow City West councillor Seán Lynch criticised Cllr Leddin for “knocking Weston” and said: “You have anti-social behaviour in any housing estate”.
Cllr Leddin replied: “I never knocked any community. I’m dealing with the real issues on the ground – I suggest you take a walk around there.”
In relation to abandoned or derelict houses, which are seen as magnets for anti-social behaviour, Cllr Leddin said: “There are a lot of houses boarded up and a lot of those are in private ownership. Literally nothing is being done about it. Unfortunately the people living beside them have to endure all these issues.
“We can spend millions on Regeneration or the housing budget, yet you can have a number of houses privately owned where the owner lives in Honolulu and the house is boarded up. We need to engage with them.”
