Thirty-eight South Dublin council tenants removed over anti-social behaviour in the last three years
There have been 38 council tenancies terminated since 2022 in south Dublin due to anti-social behaviour.
South Dublin County Council (SDCC) confirmed this was out of a total 1,994 complaints received about anti-social behaviour over the past three years.
It released the figures in response to a recent query from Róisín Mannion, Sinn Féin councillor for Firhouse-Bohernabreena.
“Some residents had highlighted issues of anti-social behaviour, and I just wanted to get an idea of the figures,” Ms Mannion said.
“My concern was about what happens when things are reported. I’ve spoken to council tenants who highlighted that they had brought up concerns, but nothing had changed.
“I was wondering what processes the council was utilising. SDCC has protocols in place like mediation, but I wanted to see if we were actually following through.”
Last year, a total of 653 complaints were received from SDCC tenants. This compares with 614 in 2023, and 727 in 2022.
According to SDCC’s anti-social behaviour strategy, grounds for an investigation can include drug use; violent, racist or threatening behaviour; significant noise; the physical condition of the property; and unauthorised occupiers or sub-letting of homes.
The council said it had followed an “extensive” investigative process with the tenants, as outlined by the strategy.
Currently, seven applications for possession orders – a court order demanding the tenant surrenders their home – are with SDCC’s Law Department and expected to appear before the courts this year.
“I have another question for the council looking for further detail on the levels of complaints vs how they were all resolved,” Ms Mannion said.
“I would like further clarification just to understand what sort of response residents have gotten.
“I have no interest in looking at every breach or to kick people out of their homes and make them homeless.
“We’re trying to look at whether ongoing issues and known problems are being taken seriously.
“I don’t think ignoring it would be helpful. I think it’s important to help tenants live in peace to the best of our ability.”
SDCC said a new anti-social/community safety strategy was considered by its Housing Strategic Policy Committee in May and was agreed on by its members in June.