Evict council tenants for ‘persistent misbehaviour’, says Taoiseach

By Olivia Ryan, The Drogheda Independent

Council tenants involved in ‘persistent’ anti-social behaviour should be evicted, according to Taoiseach, Micheál Martin.

The Taoiseach responded to the issue of ‘chaotic’ council housing tenants who make life miserable for other people, which was raised in the Dáil last week by Dundalk TD Ruairí Ó Murchú.

The Sinn Féin TD that while everyone is aware of the issues that relate to housing, including homelessness, the lack of supply, those who cannot get houses and the long social housing waiting lists, the problem of estate management also needs to be highlighted.

He said he did not believe that local authorities, like Louth County Council, ‘the necessary powers when dealing with chaotic tenants’.

Deputy Ó Murchú said: “They may need supports, but even beyond that, we have seen outright criminality and drug-dealing.

“We know that AHBs (Approved Housing Bodies) have greater levels of power even in relation to the nuclear action of eviction.

“That should be the last thing that is looked at but, at the end of the day, it is a requirement. I have worked alongside the Louth local authority, Gardaí and others in dealing with some situations and we have attempted to move people sideways to deal with the issue.

“Some very good work has been done, but we do not have the necessary tools, and that is the problem”.

In response, the Taoiseach said: “There are powers. I am not sure that the AHBs have different powers. They just have a different way of operating. They lay it down from the beginning”.

Deputy Ó Murchú said: “It is easier for AHBs to evict people”.

In reply, the Taoiseach said: “Local authorities have struggled with this for quite a long time. My own belief is that persistent misbehaviour and so on should mean you lose the tenancy.

“That is what should happen. It is hard. We know of housing estates that have awful tensions, difficulties and challenges. I would be glad to work with the Deputy on the issue. I will talk to the Minister about it”.

Meanwhile, a Louth councillor has hit out at “successive governments who have failed to deal with anti-social behaviour.

Speaking at the December meeting of Dundalk Municipal District, Cllr. Maeve Yore said: “Taxpayers are really fed up and frustrated with the lack of leadership on it.”

She said a “clear message needs to go out from Louth County Council that anti-social behaviour will not be tolerated.”

"People are fed up. Good, decent and honourable council tenants are fed up of anti-social behaviour beside them and around them, and we need action on it nationally.”

Louth County Council recently announced that it will begin work on updating its Anti-Social Behaviour policy in 2026.