COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

MEETING OF TALLAGHT AREA COMMITTEE (1)

Monday, September 24, 2012

MOTION NO. 4

MOTION: Councillor C. Brophy

That the manager provide a update on the Council efforts to combat anti-social behaviour in and around Kimmage Manor Way.  Specifically in relation to the keeping of animals and the disposal of rubbish.

REPORT:

The following report outlines the efforts by the Council to combat anti social behaviour relation to Kimmage Manor Way in complaints of in respect of anti social behaviour at this location, specifically the keeping of a horse and cockerels in the gardens of the houses here.

The Anti Social Response team and Estate Managers for this area have visited and inspected this location on numerous occasions during the week and at weekends over the past few months.

 The visits/inspections took place as follows:

• 3^rd May, 2012 (Thursday) Chickens and cockerel on site.  The Tenant was interviewed and instructed to remove animals.  They agreed to do so.  A follow up inspection (date not recorded) indicated that they had complied with the instruction
• 5^th May, 2012 (Saturday 12.45pm) nothing found during inspection
• 6^th May, 2012 (Sunday 1.15pm) nothing found during inspection
• 8^th May, 2012 (Tuesday) nothing found during inspection
• 9^th May, 2012 (Wednesday at 9.00pm) nothing found during inspection but it was noted that a dog was barking at a pedestrian who was outside a house.
• 22^nd May, 2012 (Tuesday at 9.30pm) nothing found during inspection
• 25^th May 2012, (Friday at 7.30am) early morning call - nothing found during this inspection.
• 27^th May, 2012 (Sunday 2.30pm and 6.30pm) 2 inspections carried out - nothing found during this inspection.
• 7^th June, 2012, (Thursday) - nothing found during this inspection
• 19^th June, 2012, (Tuesday) - nothing found during this inspection
• 21^st June, 2012, (Thursday) - nothing found during this inspection
• 26^th June, 2012, (Tuesday) - nothing found during this inspection
• 5^th July, 2012,   (Thursday) - nothing found during this inspection
• 9^th July, 2012, (Monday) – A horse and cockerels were found on premises.  The tenants were instructed to remove same immediately and they agreed to have them gone by the next day.
• 12^th July, 2012, (Thursday) - follow up inspection, horse and cockerels removed.
• 17^th July, 2012 (Tuesday) - nothing found during this inspection.

This schedule of visits and inspection clearly indicates that every effort is being made by the Council to investigate the residents complaints.  Out of the 17 calls made to Kimmage Manor Way, on only two occasions was there found to be a horse or cockerels in situ. The location and specifically the house in question has been monitored on an ongoing basis and if the problem eliminated.  If it should present in the future appropriate action will be taken.

It  must be pointed out however that 17 visits over such a very short period is being construed by the residents there as harassment and it was felt that it was not correct to continue such a level of invasive monitoring.  The Council will, of course, respond to specific complaints.  

In relation to the making of complaints there is a need for them to be logged officially so as they can be tracked and the Council can revert to the complainant directly for additional information if needs be.  In the past there have been occasions where some residents have claimed that they have sent emails to individual mail boxes and were questioning why they were not responded to.  Such complaints can not be properly recorded and tracked and in some instances may not be received for some considerable time.  This may well delay the investigation process.    All complaints and representations should be logged through the Council's Customer Care or Public Reps system which is accessed through the Council’s main website at www.SouthDublin.ie.  Both systems properly records and track all such complaints, ensuring that they are forwarded to the correct member of staff and that response times are adhered to.

During discussions on the question of anti social behaviour in the area it was reported that someone was riding a horse on the Whitehall Road.  As this is a public road, this is a permitted use and the Council can not take any action in relation to it.  If such use of the road is dangerous, the matter should be referred to the Gardai, at that time, for action under the Road Traffic Legislation

The question of a barking dog is purely a Civil Matter and the complainant themselves needs to pursue the matter through the District Court, 1^st Floor, Aras An Ui Dhalaigh, Inns Quay, Dublin.  The Council’s Allocations Support Unit has no function in this regard.

In relation to the disposal of rubbish, any complaints regarding an accumulation of rubbish should be reported to the Anti Litter Warden for the area in order for an investigation to be undertaken.  Depending on the outcome of this investigation the necessary steps will be taken by the Council.