Call for multi-agency approach to dealing with unruly tenants

A NEW proposal calling for Clare County Council to set up a multi-agency emergency response to anti-social behaviour in council tenants will be debated at the authority’s July meeting.

It has been proposed that co-operation between agencies is necessary to quickly and effectively deal with, and if necessary to evict, the small number of tenants who engage in persistent anti-social behaviour.

Councillor Johnny Flynn, who is proposing this motion, said “neighbours from hell” whose persistent anti-social behaviour comes under the terms of the adopted Clare County Council Behaviour Strategy 2020-2026 need to be dealt with in order to protect adjoining residents and community and prevent damage to badly-needed housing stock.

This strategy was adopted in 2021 to prevent and reduce anti-social behaviour in the 3,000 plus tenancies in areas across Clare where the council has tenancy dwellings, RAS and social leasing.

This motion, which is being supported by Mayor of Ennis, Clare Colleran-Molloy and other Ennis councillors, also calls on the appropriate agencies with responsibilities to consider the care and protection of underage children in such households.

Councillor Flynn said Ennis residents told a meeting on Monday night they feel like prisoners in their own homes and one of them was threatened his house would be bombed.

The Fine Gael Councillor said councillors were told that Family A, who were allocated a dwelling by the council seven years ago, have been causing havoc.

He said it was claimed Family A has been blocking the road, threatening their neighbours and engaged in persistent fighting and anti-social behaviour.

He said the wife of one night shift worker is very concerned he might have an accident at work due to lack of proper rest and sleep during the day.

“People who have mortgages feel trapped. There is an attempt to control the estate by fear.”

He said one health care worker, who had a wife and young child, sold his house and emigrated about 18 months because of anti-social behaviour from another house in the same estate.

Mayor of Ennis, Clare Colleran-Molloy said there is a need for a more proactive approach by gardai.

“These incidents are in small pockets of estates. The majority of housing tenants are good law abiding citizens. This case is an exception, which needs attention by the authorities.”

She said this lovely neighbourhood is being badly affected by the actions of a small group of people.

Councillor Mary Howard said residents have sent numerous complaints to the council, gardai, Tusla and the EPA about the alleged burning of rubbish.

“Some people are living in that area for almost 50 years who are retired and have paid for their homes. They can’t sit outside for a barbecue without hearing shouting, roaring and foul language.

“It is embarrassing if their grandchildren are in their home. There has been intimidation and driving in a threatening manner. It is relentless.

“One shift worker who works nights is often afraid to leave his wife when he goes out to work. He has been surviving on reduced sleep hours, which affects a person’s mental health and quality of life.

“Residents are very proud keeping their homes looking well. At this stage in their lives they shouldn’t have to put up with this. Residents are living in fear. They feel they are not being listened to and are very frustrated.”

She said there is a vermin issue as a result of rubbish being thrown over the wall near a derelict home.

She outlined that one resident, who waked his daughter in his house, is now considering selling it and moving on, which isn’t acceptable.

Councillor Paul Murphy said he was shocked and appalled by the complaints made by residents in the meeting about their difficulties they have experienced over the last seven years.

He said it is not acceptable that residents don’t feel safe in their own homes. “It is up to the council to ensure tenants act responsibly.”

He hopes that improved communication between residents and the tenancy enforcement team should result in a quicker response to incidents. He said more Garda patrols and visits from the tenancy enforcement team would be beneficial.