Residents ‘feeling alienated and marginalised within their homes’
By Mary Dennehy
RESIDENTS in MacUilliam are feeling “alienated and marginalised” due to severe anti-social issues within their estate, which are turning their area into a no-go zone, a local councillor has said.
In recent years, the residents of MacUilliam have voiced concerns over growing issues within their estate, alongside calling for back-up from South Dublin County Council and gardai.
MacUilliam estate
However, according to Councillor Brian Leech (Solidarity), issues are escalating, with a situation now arising where “no home deliveries will venture into the estate” due to the presence of large gangs of youths.
“The residents in MacUilliam have always felt that their estate was just thrown up with no proper facilities or community structure,” Cllr Leech said.
“In the past two years this has really come to the fore. They feel that the council and the police are not actively tackling the issues that are clearly there to be seen.
“There are huge anti-social problems on a daily basis with gangs of youths creating mayhem for residents.
“It is quite sad to hear people openly say that they would love to get a transfer to anywhere out of it.”
According to Cllr Leech, there are good people living in MacUilliam who want to build their community into a better place.
‘Alienated and marginalised’
“People now feel totally alienated and marginalised within their homes,” he said.
“Tenants feel that the council and the gardai need to sit down and tackle this problem before it gets worse.
“It is just not good enough that young people cannot socialise in their own estate for fear of being threatened or bullied by these gangs.”
He added: “There are wonderful tenants within MacUilliam who have a great community spirit, but sadly with the criminal element that exists within the estate they are lone voices and are fighting an uphill battle.
“Barnardos and Foroige have been doing great work with the youth in the area, but this is going to take a lot more to give confidence to the residents within their estate that this is a place to call home.”
The Echo put a number of questions to South Dublin County Council about MacUilliam and the concerns of residents, to read the council’s response click here.
