Pledge of new anti-social crackdown in Tuam estates

By TONY GALVIN AN Uncompromising approach to anti-social behaviour in both local authority and private estates in Tuam has been promised by Galway Co Council. The get-tough approach has been prompted by a series of complaints over tenant behaviour and the council has vowed to not only evict unruly tenants who are making life difficult for their neighbours but not to re-house evicted tenants. The policy is to be a joint effort coordinated between the Co Council, the Gardai and HSE West. [private] The pledge was made to Tuam Area Cllr Shaun Cunniffe who has raised a number of issues regarding council-owned properties and private properties the council is responsible for renting. Cllr Cunniffe has also demanded that council properties in locations such as Gilmartin Road not be allowed to lie vacant and deteriorate. He argues that such properties should be maintained and used to house tenants on the housing waiting list. The initiative is being taken at a time when residents association in several estates are growing increasingly frustrated with the policy of housing tenants on the housing waiting list in private rented accommodation. The policy has led to frictions, especially where young tenants with no associations with or interest in the well-being of an estate are moved in without any effort to ascertain their suitability in the first place or follow-up checks to ensure they are not engaging in anti-social behaviour. 'Over the last few months I have continually pressed council Housing Officer Eugene Cummins on the Gilmartin Road situation in relation to the vacant and dilapidated nature of many of the houses and of the necessity to have a plan to rectify this and he has advised me that he is in talks with some voluntary housing associations and he feels confident that there will be some positive movement in the next few months on this issue.' The housing officer has advised Cllr Cunniffe that there will be greater emphasis on estate management, litter control and tenancy management and he has guaranteed him that his number one priority is to tackle head on any anti-social behaviour issues that can cause so much hardship and stress to those affected. 'He has assured me that where repeated warnings are ignored in relation to anti-social behaviour the matter will be pursued right through to eviction and the stopping of housing benefits and any further re-housing by Galway Co Council of the perpetrators. He acknowledges that this will include close co-operation from the Gardai, the HSE, residents associations and the council, but is committed to this approach.' He urged all County councillors and Town councillors to work together to agree a fair but uncompromising approach to anti-social behaviour. 'I am requesting that we agree a procedure as soon as possible and I will follow this up continuously until it is resolved satisfactorily to protect people from anti-social behaviour. I have to say I admire the fact that Eugene Cummins has formulated a robust, new Housing Plan and is giving it strong leadership and he has my full support,' Cllr ­Cunniffe concluded. [/private]