Gangs making life a misery for elderly tenants of Flats

Date Published: 30-Apr-2012

By Bernie Ní Fhlatharta

Residents in the Walter Macken Flats in Mervue are living in a state of fear because of the anti-social behaviour of a few local gangs.

The flats, which are occupied by elderly residents and young families, have been targeted by trouble-makers in recent weeks as areas in which to congregate in its stairwells and hallways.

Residents were subjected to these gangs using these common areas for drug dealing, urinating, vomiting and even defecating. Some doors were also kicked in and residents are worried that these activities could escalate.

Councillor Terry O’Flaherty, who campaigned for the flats to be refurbished, said she immediately contacted the City Council and got confirmation that repair works would be carried out immediately on the broken doors and locks. The 96 apartments complex was completely refurbished to the tune of €7.5 million a few years ago.

Cllr O’Flaherty condemned the anti-social behaviour that had plagued local people in recent times. Her comments follow a weekend of criminal activity in Mervue where tyres were slashed and windscreens were broken on eight cars.

“I was shocked when I learned from residents of the flats that individuals from outside the area were gathering in the stairwells and hallways of the apartment blocks and engaging in drug taking, urinating, defecating and getting sick,” she said.

“We cannot stand by and allow mindless thugs contaminate one of Galway’s best ever projects. I will be keeping the situation monitored and will not rest until this anti-social problem is dealt with to the satisfaction of the residents,” she concluded.

Read more in today’s Connacht Sentinel