Landlords and UCC students’ behaviour

I refer to your report (Sept 4) of a meeting of the Joint Policing Committee to discuss student behaviour at which landlords were criticised for not attending; and also clearly blamed for some of the problems.

As landlords we have a unique perspective on the problems, based on extensive experience, and we have the solutions. We were due to make a submission to the meeting concerned, but this was declined by the committee at short notice.

We have also over the last two years written a number of times to UCC for a meeting to propose solutions, but to no-avail. The term ‘rogue landlord’, used at the meeting and often bandied about; gives an insight into the intellectual rigour of those using it, and is an indication of the paucity of their ability to propose a solution to this serious problem.

As landlords we will again patrol College Road each night until 3am during RAG and Fresher’s weeks in a sometimes futile effort to protect our property, as we do every year.

We are, of course, available, as we have been, to meet with any affected party in order to solve this serious problem for landlords, neighbours and, even more importantly, for the thousands of students affected.

Fachtna O’Reilly

Chairman

Connaught Avenue/ College Road/ Property Owners Association