Tenants in recently-built Athlone estate 'may have to move' due to serious anti-social behaviour

Anti-social behaviour by “a gang of unruly youths” at a social housing development in Athlone is causing some residents to consider relocating, a council meeting has heard.

Speaking at the November monthly meeting of the Athlone Moate Municipal District, Cllr Frankie Keena highlighted "ongoing issues" at the Esker Park estate, in Arcadia, which he said were being caused by a group of youths who were not residing there.

Cllr Aengus O'Rourke remarked that some individuals seemed to be "hellbent on causing chaos" in the estate.

Launched in 2020, Esker Park is one of Athlone's newest social housing developments.

At this month's meeting, Cllr Keena said the situation had become so difficult that certain families residing there were now considering requesting transfers to alternative living arrangements.

He said he had seen video clips of youngsters targeting certain houses in the estate with fireworks. Cllr Keena also claimed the perpetrators and their families were known to local Gardaí.

"The situation at Esker Park seems to be escalating, and it's being caused by a gang of unruly youths," the Fianna Fáil councillor said.

"These youngsters are coming to the estate from outside and targeting certain houses. Some of the houses have autistic children living in them. It is very unfair on people living there, and, as a council, we need to take a very strong approach in this matter," he added.

Calling for a meeting to be arranged between Gardaí and Westmeath County Council's housing section, Cllr Keena acknowledged that Gardaí were somewhat restricted in how to deal with the matter, given the age-profile of the perpetrators.

However, he said, all agencies with an interest and influence in such cases should attend a meeting with the council.

Cllr O’Rourke, who previously assisted in establishing a Residents’ Association for the estate, said it was worrying that there appeared to be a lack of progress in dealing with the problem.

He added that, in his opinion, the perpetrators lacked "parental control and guidance".

In supporting Cllr Keena’s call for a meeting with Gardaí and Westmeath County Council’s housing section, Cllr John Dolan said it upsets him that people may feel the need to transfer from a property when they had done nothing wrong.

"I am prepared to do anything required to help with this issue," Cllr Dolan told the meeting.

District Manager Jackie Finney commended the local Gardaí for their communication and ongoing work with the council, and said the council would look to discuss the matter with them at an upcoming in-committee (private) meeting.

A meeting with the council’s housing section should follow suit, she said.

Ms Finney added that the housing section could take action against anti-social behaviour, which in certain cases could eventually escalate to exclusion or eviction orders.

However, she said there was "a process to go through" before any council investigation would reach such a stage.