Eviction threat for council residents in Mayo estate
The matter was raised at last week's meeting of Castlebar Municipal District.
A Castlebar councillor has called on management in Mayo County Council to evict residents who are engaging in anti-social behaviour in a local housing estate.
Independent Cllr Harry Barrett raised the issue at last week's meeting of the municipal council, noting that it was not the first time he had highlighted the matter.
“Residents are still being left high and dry in this particular estate [in Castlebar] and tell us things are starting up again. They are living with constant stress and low-level intimidation. The videos are there to show it.
"I ask that the housing section come up with some strategy and that they liaise with the Gardaí on this, whether that be through anti-social behaviour orders so that we can build up a case where we can evict if necessary.
"It is most disgusting to have one, two or three families in an estate impacting people’s lives and their enjoyment of their property. The fact these people even have houses when accommodation is so scarce and then they are behaving like this?
"We need to look at putting a case for eviction against these individuals who are causing mayhem.”
Cllr Cyril Burke added: “We did develop a charter that people have to abide by in those estates. Those people are so fortunate to have new housing and accommodation and should not be disrupting the lives of residents in those estates. We need to have a strong policy and we are not going to put up with this. It needs to be dealt with swiftly and effectively.”
Head of the district David Mellett told members: “There is a process around anti-social behaviour and steps are being followed. It is very disturbing for the people in these estates. It must be pointed out that we have over 500 social houses in stock and we are talking here about four or five individual cases. One of our staff members is following up on a lot of those and was on site at one today and they are being taken through the steps and are at the more serious level now of receiving a warning, but we do acknowledge the impact these families can have.”
