Residents ‘living in fear’ over antisocial behaviour in Ballyphehane

Locals and business owners in Ballyphehane have raised concerns about a rise in antisocial behaviour in an alcove of an apartment building.

The O’Sullivan apartments, which opened last year on Barrack St, feature a covered entryway within an alcove that looks out onto a narrow laneway leading onto Tower St.

Locals say this alcove has become a destination for open drug use, with non-residents congregating there.

One local said: “People living in the apartments keep their doors locked, they’re living in fear all the time. Everybody is scared to walk down the alleyway now, especially when it’s dark.

“It feels like nobody is listening to us, the gardaí have gotten better at patrolling the area since we raised it at the community forum, but if we ring them, by the time they get there the people are gone.” There are also large amount of drug paraphernalia littered in the area, which children were having to walk past, along with people openly using drugs, he added.

The apartments are managed by approved housing body Tuath on behalf of the council, and a spokesperson told The Echo they were aware of the issue: “Tuath Housing is committed to the safety and wellbeing of all our residents and their communities and takes reports of anti-social behaviour extremely seriously.

“We are aware of the situation highlighted and are working closely with the authorities and community to address the issue promptly and effectively.

“We encourage all residents experiencing anti-social behaviour to report incidents to Tuath for investigation and inform Gardaí of any criminal activities.” 

A council spokesperson added: “The anti-social behaviour which forms the subject of this complaint is not arising from tenants of the O'Sullivan Apartments complex. It is in a public area.

“Cork City Council has engaged with the Gardai on the matter, having received complaints. The Council will also investigate if any measures can be undertaken by the Council to help to address the situation.” 

Independent councillor for the area Paudie Dineen told The Echo that he had been working on the issue: “The matter raised has been brought to the gardaí’s attention and they are aware of the concerns of local residents and business owners.

“As far as I am aware there is a proposal to gate the said alcove so as to eliminate the cover provided by the alcove.” 

Fine Gael councillor Shane O’Callaghan agreed that a gate blocking access to the laneway for non-residents overnight would help, saying: “Realistically, the gardaí don’t have enough resources to be there on a regular basis.

“The residents would know better that anyone else if there’s a problem with antisocial behaviour and open drug use, and they believe that a solution would be for city council to put in a gate and they would undertake to lock it at night and open it in the morning. I very much support them and plan to raise it with the council.”