by Alan Jacques
Picture: Keith Wiseman
RESIDENTS in the Abbeylock area of Corbally, who say they are frequently terrorised by a gang of up to 30 youths, have described life as a “living hell”.
One resident in the estate told the Limerick Post this week that the youths, aged between 12 and 16, congregate in large numbers along the canal bank and the green area in front of their houses every weekend.
The person, who did not want to be named for fear of reprisal, said vandalism, drug taking and under-age drinking has left people frightened to leave their homes.
“This gang, all aged between 12, 13 and 16, have turned the area into a hell hole. Some of them are from the area, others come in from elsewhere, and the local community is terrorised,” the resident explained.
“Halloween was a nightmare. They stuck firecrackers in the exhausts of people’s cars, damaged property and they are constantly burning stuff over on the green. The place is destroyed from them.
“Elderly people are terrified. Children aren’t safe to go outside and play. The Gardaí and fire brigade are constantly out here and they just hurl abuse at them and return as soon as they are gone. It’s hell.”
Fianna Fail TD, Willie O’Dea, is calling on Limerick City and County Council to take urgent measures to deal with the scourge of anti-social behaviour inflicted on residents in Abbeylock.
“The large gangs of youths are involved in vandalism, drug taking, under-age drinking and physical relations. They also have been witnessed being extremely cruel to animals with small horses being beaten to within an inch of their lives. Most of the residents have large mortgages and shouldn’t have to put up with this nightmare scenario,” said Deputy O’Dea.
“There are only a couple of street lights covering what is a large area and there are also trees and bushes allowing the gangs of youths to conduct their anti-social behaviour completely out of the spotlight. The Council needs to cut back the trees and bushes and install more public lighting.”
He says that senior Gardaí told him that they don’t have the personnel to patrol areas suffering from anti-social behaviour as regularly as is required.
“The Council and the Gardaí need to work together to reassure citizens that they can live in peace in their own homes. It’s time we started to reclaim our streets from people who have no respect for the rule of law or society as a whole,” he declared.
A spokesman for Limerick City and County Council said it has not received any complaints from the public in relation to the alleged anti social behaviour in Abbeylock, Corbally.
“It should be noted that the Abbeylock housing development features privately owned residences. However, the Council does liaise with An Garda Síochána on an ongoing basis regarding any reports of anti-social behaviour. The Council operates an anti-social behaviour lo-call number (1800 283 064) which members of the public are encouraged to call if they wish to report such behaviour.”
Meanwhile, a Garda spokesman advised anyone who is a victim or who witnesses’ anti-social behaviour to contact their local Garda station.
