Empty homes ‘are magnet for gangs’
The houses at Pike Avenue were vacated over the past two years after cracks began to appear in walls. All the residents were rehoused by the council who boarded up the houses.
Local councillor Kieran O’Hanlon yesterday met with city council officials accompanied by a delegation from Garryowen.
Mr O’Hanlon said: “The council have decided to knock the houses, but have delayed doing so in order to carry out a survey of nearby houses to ensure the demolition work will not cause damage to these buildings.
“Today we impressed on the council the necessity to press ahead immediately with the demolition.”
Two of the houses were badly damaged by fire in the past week. Local residents have been subjected to threats and abuse by youths who gather in Pike Avenue most evenings.
Mr O’Hanlon said one mother of young children broke down in tears at a recent public meeting when outlining what gangs of youths were doing.
Residents held a public meeting in Branningan’s bar in Mulgrave Street last night which was addressed by all the public representatives from the area.
A spokeswoman for the city council said the council is awaiting an architectural survey report on houses adjacent to the eight houses they intend to demolish.
The spokeswoman said: “We have to carry out this survey to get a detailed report on each house near the eight which are to be demolished in the event of claims for damage as a result of the demolition work.”
She said the council hopes to have this report within a month.
