Government to unveil package for troubled Moyross within days

THE Government will reveal details of its package for the troubled Moyross area in Limerick within the next few days.

Taoiseach Bertie Ahern and Tánaiste MichaelMcDowell jointly brought the programme to Cabinet yesterday, having both visited the estate and seen its problems at first hand.

The package will contain strong policing and law and order measures as well as incentives to encourage social inclusion.

The package will include measures supported by the Department of Environment and the Department of Community Affairs.

The estate shot to national prominence this autumn following a series of violent attacks, including one homicide and a firebomb attack on two young children in a car. A family was later burned out of its home.

The package, which is said to be comprehensive, was approved by Government yesterday.

During his visit to Moyross last weekend, MrMcDowell promised to address the law and order issues and introduce measures to encourage young people away from crime and violence. There have been a spate of serious violent incidents in the Moyross area this year, culminating with a number of shocking attacks in early October.

While local residents say the violence is caused by a small hard-core group, the incidents have also highlighted problems related to a lack of facilities, inadequate policing, and social exclusion.