Major step up in Dock Road security
MANAGEMENT companies and local gardai have stepped up patrols in the Dock Road area, vowing to curb the problem of heroin use close to multi-storey car parks and apartment blocks.
In an attempt to combat the problem, one management company has spent over 500,000 euro in enhancing security and safety.
This reporter visited a fire exit stairwell at an apartment block and discovered used syringes thrown behind rusty pipes, once more highlighting heroin use in Limerick.
This stairwell at the rear of Steamboat Quay apartment block, was littered with empty heroin vials, bloody tissues and alcoholic swabs.
Used syringes were carefully placed in the corners behind rusty pipes.
A secured door prevents access to the roof garden of the apartment building at the top of the staircase.
A spokesperson for the building’s management company, Limerick Dock Quay Ltd, stated:
“Once it was brought to our attention it was cleaned immediately’.
There have been no official complaints recently to them or agents of such activity.
“The use of stairwells and car parks for drug taking is an ongoing issue that all management companies and property owners have to deal with”.
Issues in the building were highlighted by a resident who claims to have persistent problems with drug users in the area.
“It’s much harder for them to monitor drug dealing in an apartment complex than it is in a housing estate.
“Gardaí should be issued with fobs for access to buildings of this type, and patrols are needed where the problems can go unseen”.
The resident confirmed Gardaí had increased their presence through Operation Waterfront.
“The problem with public drinking is being addressed, but still exists with people taking drugs”.
It was alleged there is unlimited access to the apartment block as security doors are persistently vandalised and rendered useless.
When asked for a response, the management company agreed safety and security is a major priority.
Doors to the building were changed to steel with secure fob controls and security CCTV cameras installed.
It was also stated that the building is cleaned on a daily basis and that a security company is in place to respond to any breaches in security.
Rory Keane, co-ordinator of Limerick’s HSE Drug and Alcohol services, commented:
“We try to get them to use drugs in as controlled an environment as possible and safely dispose of their paraphernalia after using.
“People using in a place like this are looking for privacy… they may be homeless”.
