THEY are home to decent, hardworking families who are struggling to live and bring up kids.
But some of Ireland’s most troubled estates are also under siege from the twin parasites of anti-social behaviour and organised crime.
The economic boom saw criminals grow rich with cash from drug dealing, piling on the misery for the people who wanted nothing to do with them. The recession and the lack of cash saw the tables turned on drug gangs as volunteers, community groups and local authority projects were able to make in-roads. Yet the problems caused by anti-social behaviour, drug mobs and money lenders have left decent neighbourhoods locked in a battle to shake reputations and crime statistics they don’t deserve.
Neilstown, Dublin
This west Dublin suburb is home to thousands of honest citizens, but is also the stomping ground of a hard core of the city’s serious criminals. At times, open drug dealing has made trips to the shops an ordeal for some people, while for years burnt-out cars were a regular feature of the landscape. One woman previously told the Sunday World how she became the target of thugs who left a burning wheelie bin at her front door.
Dublin 1
The Sunday World recently revealed how drug addicts flocked to an inner-city flat to buy a version of crystal meth-style drug. The drug-induced erratic behaviour is witnessed by residents and workers in the area. The area has Ireland’s most concentrated and obvious problem, with street addicts involved in drug-dealing, petty crime and violent altercations.
West Tallaght, Dublin
Home to some of the Ireland’s most prolific criminals, such as the ‘Subaru Gang’, the people living on the estates of west Tallaght have had to endure more than their fair share of anti-social behaviour. The presence of community groups and sports clubs has gone some way to cancelling the evil influence of the drug-dealing gangs.
Sheepmoor, Dublin
In the western part of Dublin, Sheepmoor has witnessed a litany of gang-related crimes including a number of murders. Drugs dealers and users have blighted the lives of people trying to get on with their daily business. It is part of the territory once ruled by the infamous Westies gang, whose ultra-violence eventually cost several lives, including those of its leaders Shane Cotes and Stephen Sugg.
Fairview Crescent, Limerick
The most expensive public housing scheme ever to be built in Limerick has been dubbed the “estate from hell” after being taken over by rampaging, gun-wielding teens. In just five years, 20 law-abiding families have been forced to abandon their homes in the estate after being targeted by “wild” teenage gangs.
South Hill, Limerick
For years, the sprawling estate of O’Malley Park had become a byword for criminality. The ordinary people living there often had to run the gauntlet of gang-connected thugs involved in drug dealing and violent attacks.
People such as McCarthy-Dundon lieutenant Paul Crawford were barred from the estate in a bid to stop anti-social yobs from entering the area. Community groups and volunteers have made huge in-roads in turning things around.
Moyross, Limerick
This collection of smaller estates has seen more than its fair share of violence. Pineview Gardens was where ‘Fat’ Frankie Ryan was shot and kids Millie and Gavin Murray suffered horrendous burns in a firebomb attack. There are active community groups working to help youngsters find an alternative way of life away from criminality and anti-social behaviour.
Ballincurra, Limerick
The violent Dundon brothers – Wayne, John, Ger and Dessie – did their best to turn this part of central Limerick into a no-go area. In some cases, residents who refused to sell up property to them for less than the market value were the target of devastating arson attacks. ballybeg, waterford Drug gangs, feuding traveller clans and violent money lenders have given Ballybeg a reputation that the majority of residents don’t deserve. The Sunday World recently revealed how gang violence has been specifically targeted at people working to improve the lives of people in the area.
Muirhevnamor, Dundalk
Gun and arson attacks this summer have highlighted how serious criminals have established a presence in this huge estate in Dundalk. One gun attack this summer was a reckless and dangerous attack which could easily have cost the life of an innocent bystander. Criminals with paramilitary connections have allowed serious crime to become embedded in the region.
