Residents feel ‘betrayed’ at increase in anti-social behaviour
By Maurice Garvey
RESIDENTS in a quiet estate feel “betrayed” amid an increase of serious anti-social behaviour emanating from one or two homes in a new neighbouring housing development.
Kilcarberry residents in Clondalkin contacted The Echo following an article in the newspaper last month on ‘blatant drug dealing’ in the vicinity of Corkagh Park.
Corkagh Grange
“In the article, a Sinn Fein councillor was calling for more garda on the streets, but the guards are down here every night, they’ve been excellent. It is not the guards fault, it is the problem of who put trouble tenants in there in the first place, and everyone we talk to just says ‘we’re sorry’,” said a resident.
None of the residents The Echo met in the estate last week want to give their name, because they fear reprisals.
They list out a long list of complaints, claiming the once quite estate has become a hotbed for intimidation and violence ever since one or two tenants moved into the new Corkagh Grange development in March – a Public Private Partnership (PPP) project of 109 homes.
Kilcarberry residents say their kids are intimidated on the streets, there is frequent street fights.
Separately, one person was hospitalised two weeks ago during an altercation.
Gardai made an arrest on May 31 following a street battle, and a man is currently before the courts in relation to that incident.
Oaklee Housing are the management company for Corkagh Grange, but South Dublin County Council have the final say on tenants.
The Echo understands management bodies, local representatives and gardai, are working on the issue, with further meetings planned, and state ‘time’ is needed but not too much time.
This is not good enough for Kilcarberry residents who say the tenants causing trouble are “a law upon themselves”.
“They know the system and do what they want for two years until they get moved to another house,” said a resident.
“If we want to make a complaint we are told to put our name to it, but that would put our families in danger. We were asked to download a noise app and hang it over the wall for anti-social behaviour and take photos of drug dealing.”
Another resident said she is living in the estate for over 20 years with “no garda call outs, no anti-social behaviour, no nothing, all being ripped apart and nobody cares”.
“Everybody is thinking of getting out even if they haven’t said it. Most of us have mortgages, do we wait and see how it pans out or take our chances now and go? Loads more houses are planned for this area. At the moment, eight houses around here are up for sale and more to come.
“Everybody needs a home but you need to respect your home. We know people looking for a nice house that are so much more deserving. Our community has been sacrificed. We were a close knit community but now we are a kip.”
Residents claimed the new tenants were not vetted, but a source close to the stakeholder meetings said this is not the case with Corkagh Grange.
The source said: “At a previous meeting, the council indicated info from gardai required was not accurate, but that refers to another case, and it is not the case here.”
The source said the issue stems primarily with two families in the new development, and a separate issue involving potential breach of a lease at another property in relation to drug dealing.
The source continued: “A meeting took place this week and more will take place with all stakeholders and residents. It takes time, but if we still have these issues in six weeks, it is a problem.”
Superintendent Anthony Twomey, Clondalkin Garda Station, confirmed they have responded to a number of incidents, but said the entire estate “can’t be targeted as a haven for anti-social activity”.
“Most of the people there are getting on with living their lives there, it takes time to settle. That’s the reason gardai are there, working together with the council and the community,” said Supt Twomey.
For Kilcarberry residents, a key question they have is what the process is regarding breaches of a tenancy.
“We all love Kilcarberry but this estate is getting a bad name. We want someone to do something. There has to be a process,” concluded a resident.
South Dublin County Council said as part of the PPP for Corkagh Grange, Oaklee Housing is part of a new company consortium working on behalf of the council who are the landlord of all the residents within Corkagh Grange.
“The estate has gradually been occupied over the last three to four months and most residents appear to be very happy in their much needed new homes”, the council said.
“In accordance with the council’s allocation scheme, all applicants for social housing have been investigated by way of garda check, in accordance with the Housing (Act).
“All residents have signed a tenancy agreement that they are expected to abide by. Under the terms and conditions of their tenancy agreement, tenants and any member of their household including visitors to the dwelling may not cause nuisance, annoyance or disturbance which will have a significant effect on the quality of life of those in the locality of the dwelling to which the tenancy agreement relates.
“Any breaches in tenancy will be investigated fully and dealt with in accordance with the Anti-Social Behaviour Strategy and relevant housing legislation.
“It is our policy not to discuss specifics of any issues or incidents that may have occurred.
“In all such matters we will investigate and where necessary take the appropriate action liaising with residents and any other agencies involved.”
Oaklee was contacted for comment.
