DRUG dealing was among the complaints made to Limerick City and County Council about anti-social behaviour in council-owned properties last year.
In August, one complaint alleged that crack cocaine and heroin were being sold from the front door of a council property.
The details were released following a Freedom of Information (FOI) request from the Irish Times, asking for copies of complaints about anti-social behaviour received in relation to council housing from March to August 2021.
Similar data on anti-social behaviour occurring in privately owned houses is not subject to FOI, and Gardaí would usually deal with these complaints.
Independent councillor Frankie Daly said that anti-social behaviour occurred in both council and privately owned houses and that more Community Gardaí are needed in Limerick.
Cllr Daly, who is a youth worker, told the Irish Times that the involvement of Community Gardaí in local sports clubs and youth clubs, was vital to stopping anti-social behaviour.
“At one time in Limerick, they would have been like a parish priest, they were so important . . . feet on the street, a smile on their face, knowing the young people . . . that made a difference.”
He said that council tenants are fortunate they can take complaints to their local authority, which are then mediated through an official process.
Homeowners and those in the private rental market don’t have this same system, and many of his constituents experience anti-social behaviour, sometimes from students, he said.
“Sometimes people might not think they are being loud, but their neighbour disagrees . . . we are all human beings but at the end of the day, there has to be a bit of accountability.”
