'Councils need powers to evict problem tenants'

THE Government must give local authorities more powers to evict so-called “neighbours from hell” after a case in Cork exposed serious deficiencies in the legislation.

The call came from Sinn Féin Cllr Jonathan O’Brien after it emerged Cork City Council was unable to secure a single court order eviction against “difficult tenants” last year.

A report presented to the council showed there were 36 new cases of antisocial behaviour reported across the city. The council called 239 tenants for interview about antisocial behaviour, and issued 23 warnings.