DEALERS TO BE EVICTED IN SPITE OF INCREASE IN CHALLENGES

LOCAL authorities are to continue evicting anti-social tenants despite a
High Court challenge to the validity of such evictions.

Dublin and Limerick Corporations are to press ahead with evictions for drug
dealing, violence and intimidation on city estates to protect the majority
of law-abiding tenants while a judicial review of a case in Cork on
constitutionality issues goes ahead.

Notices to quit were served on 38 Dublin Corporation tenants in the first
five months of this year, 19 of them concerning serious anti-social
behaviour, planning official Michael Ryan said.

The numbers of individuals being evicted for criminal activity such as drug
dealing increased dramatically in recent years and this tough policy will
continue and has the support of the communities on the estates, he added.

Last year 67 tenants were evicted from corporation homes, two-thirds for
anti-social behaviour. The previous year, 21 were evicted for anti-social
behaviour.

But in earlier years, just two or three tenants were evicted every year for
anti-social reasons.

Corporation lawyers regularly deal with defences in eviction cases where
judicial reviews are sought but these were usually on the procedures
involved in the evictions rather than on constitutional grounds, Mr Ryan added.

A distinction is also made by the corporation in eviction cases between
anti-social behaviour such as drug dealing and evictions concerning the
non-payment of rent.

Last year all 44 eviction warrants for anti-social behaviour were carried
out. But, out of 33 warrants granted for non-payment of rent, only eight
evictions were carried out.

The remaining 25 cases were settled without eviction.

A spokesman for Limerick Corporation said its policy in relation to tough
action against those involved in anti-social behaviour "will certainly
continue".

Although no eviction applications are pending in the Kildare County Council
area, spokesman Charles Talbot said he believed the Cork case would not
have any immediate affect on the activities of the council. If any
difficulties did arise, they would be met with whatever appropriate legal
methods were available, he said.

Junior Minister Willie O'Dea praised Limerick Corporation and local
authorities generally for their decisive action.

He called for legislation to be strengthened even further in the whole area
of anti-social behaviour.