Communities 'really let down' by anti-social behaviour - Kilkenny councillor

Some communities feel ‘really let down’ by anti-social behaviour in housing estates according to a local councillor.

Cllr Deirdre Cullen made her remarks following a presentation on the council’s anti-social behaviour strategy 2020-2025 at a recent meeting of the Joint Policing Committee.

Senior Executive Officer, Michael Leahy said that the local authority has ‘no tolerance of behaviour that is not allowing tenants to live in a peaceful neighbourhood’.

Kilkenny village prepared for harsh winter

Mr Leahy said that while the housing department has received ‘complaints of gangs of children’ engaged in anti-social behaviour that the council cannot act unless those engaging in such behaviour are in the vicinity of their house.

“It has to be significant and persistent and take place in a house or in the vicinity of a house.”
The strategic aim of the policy is to promote co-operation with agencies including gardaí, the HSE and Tusla.

“The problem is that some communities feel let down by anti-social behaviour in their estates.

“I do respect that there is a need for a multi-agency approach,” she said and called on the Council to go ahead and implement their policy.

“The perception is that nothing is being done and they are people being terrorised. There are certainly people out there whose enjoyment of their home is being impaired by this kind of behaviour.

“I think anonymous complaints should be investigated as often people are too afraid to give their name.”

Mr Leahy told the meeting that the local authority ‘will act if there is persistent anti-social behaviour’.

“I have very low tolerance if people are not able to enjoy their own home,” he said.

Mr Leahy also told members that there are many challenges which the council face in trying to implement the strategy, including unauthorised occupation which he said is an issue that has increased greatly in recent times. Other challenges include social issues, including noise complaints,mental health issue, tenancy sustainment and public expectations.

“Often people ask why we can’t move quicker and ask people to leave and change the locks but there is a process we have to follow.”