Anti-social behaviour in Castlebar estate prompts calls for action
A housing estate in Castlebar has been the focus of repeated concern over ongoing anti-social behaviour, prompting calls for action from local councillors.
The estate, which has not been named by Castlebar Municipal Council, has been discussed at multiple meetings following letters from concerned residents about anti-social behaviour in the area.
Residents have reported experiencing “constant stress and low levels of intimidation,” according to Cllr Harry Barrett, who raised the issue.
Cllr Barrett proposed the formation of a dedicated unit to tackle anti-social behaviour and liaise with the Gardaí, this is the second time he has brought forward the idea.
“We can then begin to build up a case to a point where we can evict if need be,” he said.
Cllr Cyril Burke supported these remarks saying, “People are so fortunate to have new housing and accommodation. They should be thankful for it and not disrupt the lives of people living within those estates.”
In December 2023 Mayo County Council’s Director of Services, Tom Gilligan, reported that 443 people were on the waiting list for social housing in Castlebar. In June 2025 the council declared a housing emergency in the area.
Adding that the issue must be dealt with “swiftly and aggressively,” Cllr Burke noted that the council had previously developed a charter for residents, but expressed the need for stronger enforcement.
“We need to have a strong policy that states we are not prepared to put up with it,” he said.
Head of Castlebar Municipal District David Mellett responded by acknowledging the disruption faced by residents, he confirmed that council officers are engaging directly with affected households.
“To put it into context, there are over 500 social houses in stock in Castlebar, and we are talking about four or five individual cases,” he said.
“We’re following up on a number of them. There was a particular case referenced today, I won’t mention the site, but we were there this morning and met with the family and their representative.”
This article has been funded by the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme