The Chair of Clare’s Joint Policing Committee is calling for a dedicated Minister to be established to deal with illegal encampments in Clare and elsewhere.
Concerns have again been raised about a number of encampments in this county by public representatives here.
A number of local councillors and Clare Oireachtas representatives told this morning’s virtual meeting of the Joint Policing Committee that they are aware of communities in this county who are highly concerned at the emergence of several encampments here in the last number of months.
Meelick-based Fianna Fail Deputy Cathal Crowe told the meeting it’s unacceptable these encampments are still in place in various areas, and called on the Housing Authority to find a ‘more suitable’ way to accommodate those who reside in the encampments.
Ennis Fine Gael councillor Paul Murphy added that he is aware of a number of families who are having trouble sleeping at night due to the ongoing noise of generators in one instance.
Concerns were also raised regarding an area of North Clare which has seen issues of anti-social behaviour occur a number of times in recent weeks.
Inagh-based Green Party Senator Roisin Garvey suggested that a national policy framework needs to developed by the Department of Housing to allow Clare and other local authorities to deal appropriately with the issue.
Sixmilebridge councillor John Crowe, chairing the meeting, remarked that a dedicated Minister may be needed to resolve some of these matters going forward.
There was some criticism for the historic handling of the problem from some quarters – Clonlara-based Independent councillor Michael Begley suggested the issue has stemmed from what he called neglect from past governments, and called for proper facilities in proper locations to be established for those living in the encampments.
Presenting Clare County Council’s draft anti-social behaviour strategy for the next five years at the meeting, Siobhan McNulty from the local authority’s housing department confirmed mediation has taken place extensively with some of the families concerned in the matter raised.
The full strategy will be presented to all councillors at next month’s council meeting.
