DROGHEDA Corporation is to seek more information from a local councillor who claims some local authority houses have been bought out by drug dealers and property speculators.
The allegation was made by Cllr Raymond Dempsey at this month's corporation meeting. He said that in one area, up to seven families were considering moving out because of anti-social behaviour by new residents. He alleged that in some areas residents were concerned about drug dealing going on in houses built by the local authority, but which had been bought out by the alleged dealers.
Cllr Tommy Murphy claimed "money laundering" was taking place. The houses, he said, were often bought under the pretence of being for a son or daughter. He claimed the problem also involved tenants in houses rented from the corporation.
The corporation's housing officer Mr Brendan Fulham, said he would be seeking further details on where this activity was meant to be taking place and who was involved. He said it was the first time he had been made aware of the existence of such a problem.
Gardai in Drogheda have confirmed they have received complaints from residents in a local authority estate, but they say drug dealing is as likely to occur in privately built houses.