Working group formed to tackle anti-social behaviour in Dublin city
A working group is being formed to address the increased prevalence of anti-social behaviour within Dublin communities.
From arson attacks to drug-related crime, anti-social behaviour (ASB) has been on the rise in the capital and Dublin City Council are endeavouring to come up with a new strategic plan to address it. At the most recent Housing and Social Inclusion SPC, representatives were briefed on AHB complaints and steps were put in place to form a new group which aims to host its first meeting next month.
Currently, there are systems in place to address ASB with those in social housing facing the threat of eviction only after a series of verbal and written warnings before an ultimate possession order is issued. Executive Manager with Housing Operations Frank D'Arcy said one aim of the groups would be to come up with more “dynamic legislation” that provides the council with the powers to more effectively tackle ASB.
“We are all in consensus that in Dublin City Council we need to get on the front foot in relation to anti-social behaviour,” he said. “I think the proposal in relation to a working group is very laudable.”
While the exact details of the working group’s membership and how broad its spectrum will be still need to be confirmed, Mr D’Arcy said it acts as an opportunity for stakeholders to contribute “on the ground” experience for appropriate legislation, rather than having laws feed down into affected communities.
A major point of concern brought up by councillors was to find a way to address perpetrators of anti-social behaviour remaining in council accommodation as they terrorise the lives of those living around them. Sinn Fein Councillor Janice Boylan brought up the issue of recidivism among council tenants who have been convicted and incarcerated.
While she said that she wholeheartedly agrees that the prison system should focus on reform, it’s frustrating for communities to see a tenant go in and out of prison and return to their council accommodation with seemingly no consequence to their tenancy.
Mick Clarke from the Estate Management Unit stated that a convicted tenant is legally entitled to move back into their social home, but that this is not the case for additional occupiers, such as a “son, daughter, or boyfriend.” He explained that, in this instance “we remove them from the rent account and when they come back they have to make an application.”
“Then we can vet that application through gardai, and if we're not happy we can defer for a period of up to two years,” he said. However, he also revealed that, on many occasions, the council aren’t aware that the person has been convicted “they don’t tell us, that’s part of the problem.”
The anti-social behaviour working group is currently being formed and membership details are yet to be finalised. Assistant Chief Executive Mick Mulhern said they hope to have their first meeting by next month and the aim is to come up with a new ASB strategy for 2028.
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