'I'm afraid in my own home'

Distress over anti-social behaviour outside her front door

A Cavan woman says she is “afraid in my own home” due to activity on a green area metres from her front door including blatant drug dealing, discarded needles, used crack pipes and human faeces.

Fiona Jermyn, who has lived at Laragh Crescent in Cavan Town for almost 30 years, claims the disturbing scenes have become a “regular sight”, with people allegedly gathering in overgrown bushes late into the night.

Recently widowed and living alone, Fiona feels increasingly vulnerable as suspected drug dealing activity, and dangerous drug paraphernalia continue to blight the green space immediately outside her home.

“I should not have to feel afraid like this in my own home,” she told the Celt.

For Fiona and her neighbours, the discovery of discarded needles and human waste has heightened fears over personal safety, hygiene and public health.

“It’s not only extremely distressing and unpleasant, but is also a serious concern in terms of the health, safety and wellbeing of residents living here,” says Fiona, who is demanding urgent answers over who owns the land, who is responsible for maintaining the trees and what action can be taken to address anti-social behaviour there.

Fiona believes the overgrown vegetation is helping to facilitate the problem by providing cover for people gathering. The trees are understood to have been planted by Cavan County Council, but Tailte Éireann, the State agency responsible for property registration and national mapping, indicates the land directly outside Ms Jermyn's home is privately owned.

Fiona first contacted Cavan County Council about the situation back in early February this year, submitting photographs to highlight the worsening conditions facing residents.

Repeated attempts to secure a resolution have left Fiona feeling she is being passed from pillar to post, while the activity she describes continues.

A spokesperson for Cavan County Council to the Celt states the lands in question are “privately owned and are not under the responsibility” of the Council's Housing Section.

Aldi Ireland, which appears to own the strip of land, has also been contacted for comment but had not responded at the time of going to print.

“Ownership of the site rests with a private commercial entity, and any matters relating to the maintenance or management of these lands would fall outside the remit of Housing Ser vices,” the council spokesperson stated.

They add that the council's Housing Section's is focused on the management of social housing tenancies and addressing anti-social behaviour where it is linked to council tenants.

“Any incidents of anti-social or criminal behaviour in the area should be reported directly to An Garda Síochána,” they advise, before adding that with regard to homelessness concerns, the council encourages any person experiencing homelessness or at risk of homelessness to contact them directly.

“Our understanding is that the individual previously reported as sleeping rough in the area is no longer present. While the Council's Housing Section supports resident associations through the provision of information, guidance and grant assistance, there is currently no recognised residents' association in Laragh Crescent.”