4,000 fewer people in regeneration areas since project began

THE population of the four estates in the Limerick regeneration programme has fallen from 12,000 five years ago to 8,000, according to the head of the regeneration agency.

However, chief executive Brendan Kenny said many families had abandoned the homes in Southill, Moyross, St Mary’s Park and Ballinacurra Weston before the masterplan was launched in October 2008.

As work commences on the first houses to be constructed as part of the regeneration project, workers are knocking derelict and abandoned houses in the four estates.