Allow anonymous complaints to tackle anti-social behaviour in Mayo

THE possibility of allowing anonymous complaints in an effort to tackle anti-social behaviour will be considered by Mayo County Council.

At the moment, residents filing complaints about unruly behaviour in their estates must give their name.

At a special meeting to discuss council policy on the issue, director of services Tom Gilligan said making anonymous complaints is something they will look at.

Some of those complaints, if dealt with, could result in situations not escalating, he said.

Councillors have been requesting that anonymous complaints would be investigated.

Since March 2019, the council has received 56 complaints about anti-social behaviour - 20 in the Swinford/Claremorris Municipal District (MD), with Castlebar MD recording 15, Westport/Belmullet MD 11, and Ballina MD 10.

Of those, 50 of the complaints involved social housing. Thirty-nine of the cases have been resolved.

A new anti-social behaviour policy for the county is being compiled and will come before members of the housing committee on October 14.

Councillors are frustrated at the ongoing incidences of anti-social behaviour across the county.

Councillor Neil Cruise said there are the few bad apples who are persistently causing issues.

Council policy, he said, was 'light touch' and mired in red tape. It should be simple: “Three strikes and you're out.”

He added: If you are acting the maggot in an estate, on the third warning you are on your bike.”

Councillor Donna Sheridan relayed her own personal experiences of anti-social behaviour.

“Has anyone ever lied in bed and seen a car blown up in an estate,” she asked. She had friends come to visit and their children had been threatened to be killed in her front garden.

“People are living in terror,” she stated, though she did note that when you see continual shouting and roaring and fighting you become immune to it.

There appeared to be no end in sight and issues were going on for years, she said, asking: “When is enough,enough?”

Councillor Christy Hyland suggested that when planning permission is granted for estates, it should include the installation of CCTV which is linked back to the local garda station.