Fears of ‘vigilante style policing’ over anti-social behaviour in Limerick suburb

RESIDENTS in a Limerick suburb have reportedly expressed plans to set up their own “vigilante” group to police a local greenway amid ongoing reports of anti-social behaviour.

The issue was raised before a meeting of the Metropolitan District of Limerick City and County Council by Fianna Fáil Councillor Joe Pond.

Cllr Pond asked the council to close the Castletroy Urban Greenway at the same time as a nearby park, amid “ongoing issues of antisocial behaviour.”

“Some local residents are now discussing setting up their own patrols to police it,” Cllr Pond said, adding that he believed that “vigilante style policing” would only lead to more problems.

Cllr Pond suggested that a large amount of the behaviour could be eliminated if the greenway was closed at the same time as a nearby park.

According to the councillor, the area has become a “breeding ground” for antisocial behaviour in the last number of years.

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The councillor also stated to the meeting that he had spoken to local gardaí and that they told him it is “impossible” to police the greenway.

He added that the lack of CCTV was another reason for the ongoing problem.

Councillor Catherine Slattery, also of Fianna Fáil, seconded the motion with “full support.”

Not all members of the meeting were on board with the plans, however, as Green Party Councillor Seán Hartigan said that while he shared the concerns of the other two councillors, he did not think it was fair to close the greenway at the same time as a nearby park.

“You are punishing cyclists, pedestrians and people who use the greenway late at night in the early morning,” said Cllr Hartigan.

The Green Party Councillor called for more of a garda presence and rejected calls that it was impossible to police.

Cllr Hartigan proposed adding garda “bike patrols” to areas such as this, and the greenway along the river, instead of closing them.

In a response on behalf of Limerick Council, the meeting heard that “public enforcement” is a matter for An Garda Síochána.

The meeting also heard that the council will engage “with only relevant stakeholders” in order to seek eligible solutions.