Residents of a Tralee housing estate are carrying out night-time patrols to keep non-residents out, for fear of further anti-social behaviour.
Sinn Féin councillor Deirdre Ferris raised the issue at the recent Tralee Municipal District meeting.
The issue of anti-social behaviour at Ogham Rian estate in Tralee was highlighted last week on Radio Kerry.
Last week, a used needle went through an eleven-year-old girl’s shoe while she was walking on the footpath near her home in Ogham Rian.
Her mother, Kelly O’Brien, told Radio Kerry there is a serious drug problem in the area and she can no longer let her children play outside because of the prevalence of discarded needles.
Gardaí have said they’re aware of anti-social behaviour at an estate in Tralee, and the Community Policing Unit is liaising with local residents, undertaking high-visibility patrols, and working with the Divisional Drugs Unit to reduce anti-social behaviour and crime.
At this week’s Tralee MD meeting, Cllr Ferris said there was a young child at risk because of anti-social behaviour by non-tenants of the estate.
The Sinn Féin councillor said they’re a brilliant estate in Ogham Rian, but they’re now patrolling their estate at night to keep non-tenants from engaging in anti-social behaviour.
Cllr Ferris requested that management of the Municipal District and members of the housing staff meet with the residents to discuss the issues affecting them.
She said they have an incredible community and are managing their estate brilliantly, and the council needs to work with them and do everything possible to ensure the estate maintains that level of community.