Anti-social behaviour in Mayo estates highlighted at policing meeting

A PERSON receiving end of life care is enduring neighbours who are causing a riot.

This and other stories of people being terrorised in housing estates in Mayo were told to senior garda members at a joint policing committee meeting where councillors demanded action from the gardaí and council.

A total of 101 anti-social behaviour orders (ASBOs) have been issued by gardaí over the last five years - 16 in Castlebar, six in Westport, 19 in Ballina and seven in Belmullet, with Claremorris district having the highest number - 56.

Councillor Michael Kilcoyne spoke of one estate where residents of 40 years standing are now being ‘terrorised’ by people put in by the council in recent months.

There were drinking parties and a stream of letters sent to the council - ‘enough to paper the walls of the Áras’ - and yet the problem continues, he said.

It was unfair that someone was receiving end of life treatment and some people in the neighbourhood were ‘causing a riot’.

Ballinrobe-based Councillor Damien Ryan also spoke of elderly people being ‘tortured and ‘harassed’ and it would have to be stamped out.

The actions of a minority could not be tolerated.

Joint policing committee chairperson Councillor Al McDonnell said the garda campaign would be intensified.

Residents with concerns must report incidents to the gardaí as well as the local authority, it was reiterated.

Castlebar Superintendent Patrick O’Shea reassured residents that in relation to two estates in the county town, there are criminal charges before the courts.

He also commented on the positive impact re-energising residents’ associations has on anti-social behaviour - a show of community strength.

One local estate had a clean-up that involved the community, gardaí and Tidy Towns, with Councillor Ger Deere highlighting the work of community garda Michael Toland on this project and the other groups. This multi-agency approach was the way to go, he suggested.