Donovan, Anne Marie and Connolly, Johnny (2008) Addressing crime and anti-social behaviour in Limerick. Drugnet Ireland, Issue 25, Spring 2008, p. 22.
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The Fitzgerald Report recently submitted to the Cabinet Committee on Social Inclusion addresses social exclusion, crime and disorder issues in the Moyross and Southill communities and other disadvantaged areas in Limerick city.1
- the resolution of the issue of criminality;
- economic and infrastructural regeneration;
- a co-ordinated response between local authorities, gardaí and community and voluntary sector agencies to tackle entrenched disadvantage.
The report emphasises that economic and social regeneration is based on the success of a proposed set of ‘intense policing arrangements’ (p. 8). The report states that ‘dealing with the serious (although relatively small in number) criminal elements … will be fundamental to creating the conditions for real progress to be achieved on all other fronts’ (p. 6). This policing initiative will occur in the context of a five-year programme, the objective of which is to ‘normalise and stabilise these areas’ (p. 8). Specific recommendations include:
- targeting the assets of criminals by establishing a local CAB operation;
- maintaining a highly visible Garda presence in the area, which would involve dedicating up to 100 gardaí to these communities to restore public order and deal with criminal activity
- empowering Limerick City Council to evict tenants involved in criminal or anti-social behaviour.
- the attraction of commercial investment into these communities via fiscal incentive schemes;
- the development of transport infrastructure and access to these communities;
- the total regeneration of housing stock in these estates, including a mix of social and private housing.
In terms of drug abuse, Limerick city currently falls within the remit of the Regional Taskforce for the Midwestern region established under the National Drugs Strategy. However, the report recommends that Limerick city benefit from local intervention initiatives given that ‘the problems of drug abuse in Limerick city are particularly acute’ (p. 12). These interventions should also include prevention and education initiatives. (Anne Marie Donovan and Johnny Connolly)
1. Fitzgerald J (2007) Addressing issues of social exclusion in Moyross and other disadvantaged areas of Limerick City: report to the Cabinet Committee on Social Inclusion. Dublin: Department of Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs.
MM-MO Crime and law > Crime deterrence
MM-MO Crime and law > Justice system > Community anti-crime or assistance programme
MM-MO Crime and law > Crime > Substance related crime > Crime associated with substance production and distribution
MM-MO Crime and law > Organised crime
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