Garda to address violence in north city flats

LORD MAYOR of Dublin Eibhlin Byrne says she has been assured by senior gardaí that they have the resources to deal with violence and anti-social behaviour in the dilapidated O'Devaney Gardens complex in the north of the city.

Three people were arrested in O'Devaney Gardens on Wednesday night after violence broke out following a funeral in the area. A 30-year-old woman and two men aged 31 and 24 are to appear in court in September in connection with the incidents.

A number of flats had last year been left without tenants in preparation for the regeneration of the complex under a Public Private Partnership (PPP) with developer Bernard McNamara.

Project delays meant that four such blocks became derelict. Anti-social behaviour around the empty blocks has worsened since the collapse of the PPP agreement.

Ms Byrne yesterday met local gardaí, including Chief Supt Mick Folan, following a meeting with women living in the remaining flats and council officials. "Gardaí have assured me they have the resources, and will take all action necessary. The chief superintendent has said that he will meet with the women next week."

The city council also had a responsibility to ensure the safety of the tenants, Ms Byrne said, adding that she would ensure the demolition of the derelict blocks would be dealt with at the next council meeting in September.

However, she said, the problems of the estate went beyond the regeneration issue. "I don't accept that a need for regeneration or poverty is an excuse for anti-social behaviour . . . neither I nor the gardaí want a police state, but these young thugs cannot be allowed to terrorise their neighbours," she added.