'Serious' anti-social behaviour in Mayo estate

ISSUES of anti-social behaviour at a housing estate in Castlebar have been raised at a municipal district meeting.

Elected members received a letter ahead of their monthly meeting this week, outlining matters that are 'really serious', Councillor Michael Kilcoyne stated.

He has demanded to know what action the council is taking, saying it has gotten out of hand.

A dedicated unit to tackle anti-social behaviour was proposed by Councillor Harry Barrett, but it was pointed out that the council has a policy and there are stages to be gone through, up to and including warning letters and finally repossession.

Councillor Kilcoyne described the contents of the correspondence they received as 'unbelievable', outlining anti-social behaviour and violence.

“If people cannot behave themselves there is a place for them, not in houses,” he commented.

“If we are the landlord it has to be dealt with.”

Councillor Cyril Burke said they had a charter that people have to abide by and it not, there has to be consequences.

It's not good enough that they cannot live in harmony with everyone else.

Councillor Blackie Gavin said in years past they would regularly meet with the gardaí and matters like this would be sorted, but now there is no JPC any more.

He wanted this matter dealt with as a matter of urgency, and he also suggested they invite the local superintendent to a meeting.

Councillor Barrett said there is a need for a dedicated unit to tackle issues like this, working with the gardaí, and three strikes and you're out.

If people can't act civilly in a housing estate they should be 'shown the road'.

Municipal head David Mellett said there is a policy which sets out the different types of anti-social behaviour and the steps that have to be gone through by the council.

At the minute they have five cases with them, three of which came in last week.

On the estate in question, they were talking about two residents.