Council to head up task force to tackle series of issues

COUNCIL Chief Executive Joan Martin is to head up an action group to meet the needs of the Drogheda community in relation to an ongoing feud in the area.

Senator Ged Nash and Cllrs Pio Smith and Paul Bell secured a commitment from Louth County Council to lead an initiative to bring state agencies together to tackle serious social and economic issues in parts of Drogheda.

Following a meeting with senior Louth County Council officials last week, Senator Ged Nash said; ‘ The serious ongoing criminal feud in Drogheda will end and those responsible will be brought to justice. We should all be concerned at the involvement of many young who have been pulled in to this vicious cycle. There are alternatives to a life involved in crime.

‘We have a responsibility to the decent and law abiding people in communities who are in the eye of this storm to give hope that a better future can be looked forward to. My short term priority will be investment from government in the building of a new community hub for the Moneymore area.’

Cllr. Pio Smith said he was pleased that Louth County Council had acceded to their request to lead this kind of intervention.

‘ The first meeting of a steering group including agencies such as An Garda Siochana, HSE, Tusla, education services such as local schools and the LMETB and existing services such as Connect and the Cable project and addiction services will take place in the new year, led by Louth County Council.’

He says the council has agreed to urgently bring forward with the Gardai new CCTV systems for the Moneymore area. This will be a priority for early next year and will provide greater reassurance for people.’

‘In addition, I am pleased that Louth County Council has agreed to work with the Gardai to look at ways to address the gap between Moneymore and Castlemanor with a view to addressing the anti-social behaviour at this location.’

The area (pictured) has drawn much criticism in recent years as it has proved to be an ‘escape’ route for those involved in drug dealing.

It has also a danger for those delivering in the area with two armed robberies reported.

Cllr Paul Bell added, ‘ The problems experienced and concentrated in communities in the south and north side of Drogheda are complex. This initiative is about proper estate management and community building for the future.’