Concern over addiction centre

RESIDENTS of the Cratloe/Bunratty area have expressed fears they could be outnumbered in their own community if plans proceed for a 16-bedroom addiction treatment clinic in the locality.

Locals claimed they could end up being prisoners in their homes if a partially HSE funded Aljeff clinic at Moyhill, Cratloe becomes fully occupied.
Concern about the suitability of providing an addiction treatment facility a short distance from the Health Service Executive (HSE) Green Meadows High Support Unit for teenagers with behavioural difficulties was voiced at a recent meeting of Cratloe Community Council. Locals haven’t raised any issue with the Green Meadows facility with the HSE previously, which has been in existence for over 12 years but claimed at the council meeting the provision of a drug alcohol recovery centre nearby is a step too far.
There is a concern for the well-being of teenagers ,who are cared for in the Green Meadows Unit, who run the risk of coming under the influence of clients from the nearby Aljeff facility.
Concern has been expressed about the lack of public consultation following claims Aljeff or the HSE never contacted the community before the establishment of a second residential high-support unit in a small local community. Locals are concerned about the safety of their loved ones and potential safety issues, which may arise between clients in the two nearby facilities.
Meanwhile, The Clare Champion has learned that Clare County Council has sent Aljeff House, care of Ballysimon Road, Limerick, and the owner of the property, John O’Connor, a warning letter over the operation of an alleged unauthorised development at Moyhill.
According to official planning documents, the council considers the operation of an addiction treatment clinic from a residential premises is unauthorised, as it doesn’t have the benefit of planning permission and doesn’t constitute exempted development.
The planning authority stated both parties are required to regularise the matter and in the event the unauthorised development is continued, the planning authority may issue an enforcement notice.
“In this regard, officials of the planning authority may at all reasonable times enter the land for the purpose of carrying out our inspection. You may make submissions or observations in writing to the council regarding the above matter within four weeks of the date of this letter,” the documents stated.
Moyhill House was previously for sale by private treaty. There are 23 rooms in total in the building including 16 bedrooms and bathrooms. This property stands on six acres of land and has landscaped walled gardens accessed by private gates.
According to one Limerick auctioneer, the property is suitable as a small hotel or bed and breakfast business.
Extensive efforts by The Clare Champion to secure a comment from the Aljeff headquarters in Ballysimon Road, Limerick proved unsuccessful.
Mr O’Connor told The Clare Champion he is dealing with the planning issue raised by the county council but declined to make any further comment on concerns raised about the Aljeff centre.
A HSE spokesman said the agency is aware of the concerns that have been raised by the residents in Moyhill, Cratloe in relation to the Aljeff Treatment Centre. 
“These concerns have been communicated to both Aljeff and the Mid-West Regional Drugs Task Force, who are the main funder of Aljeff. The HSE is looking to meet with them, both to discuss these concerns and look at what the best way forward is to address these issues,” he said.