LIVE: Concern over property in Tipperary that may be housing 'individuals leaving prison'
'Locals have become increasingly alarmed by reports that individuals leaving Portlaoise Prison, or others awaiting bail for alleged offences committed elsewhere, may now be staying at this location...'
A local councillor has called for urgent action to address what he described as increasing criminality and anti-social behaviour linked to a property in the busy tourist town of Cashel.
Cllr Liam Browne said: "Action is now needed on criminality and anti-social behaviour, emanating from a specific property in town."
In a statement ahead of the Tipperary/Cahir/Cashel Municipal District meeting on Monday, he said: "I will be once again asking Tipperary County Council to intervene and enforce planning regulations on a property in Cashel, which is the base for an increasing number of criminal and anti-social behaviour incidents, in the centre of Cashel town.
"Despite repeated complaints from the public, the council has failed to enforce its own regulations, leaving local residents without answers and without reassurance.
"More recently, locals have become increasingly alarmed by reports that individuals leaving Portlaoise Prison, or others awaiting bail for alleged offences committed elsewhere, may now be staying at this location.
"Residents feel abandoned by the authorities who should be safeguarding the town. Numerous residents have told me that: 'We just want to know what’s going on. How can planning laws be ignored for years and nobody held responsible?'
"I have also been privately contacted by members of An Garda Síochána, who have expressed serious concerns for their personal safety and the increasing pressures placed on policing in Cashel when criminality is effectively imported into the town. This follows the deeply worrying incident last week in which two gardaí were assaulted, leaving one unable to return to duty.
"This situation cannot continue. The council must now: enforce planning regulations, clarify the current use of the property, provide transparency around any inter-county placements. Cashel deserves better than silence."