THREE MEN have been banned for three years from two council estates after Limerick County Council brought exclusion orders against them in a landmark court case yesterday.
Neighbours of one of the men, Dermot Ryan, were said to have been “terrified” and were “living in fear” of him for the past number of years. Gardaí allege the three men have engaged in antisocial behaviour in the Sharwood and Castleview estates, in Newcastle West, over a prolonged period.
Ryan (20), of 17 Sharwood, Newcastle West, Co Limerick, failed to appear in court yesterday. The order banning him from both estates was executed in his absence by Judge Mary O’Halloran.
The judge heard Ryan, who contested the hearing through a solicitor, had 43 previous convictions for disorderly conduct, criminal damage, assaulting gardaí and breaking into houses.
William Leahy, solicitor for Limerick County Council, told the judge: “This is the first time Limerick County Council has applied to exclude residents of council-owned properties because of ongoing antisocial behaviour.”
The four exclusion orders were brought under section 3 of the Miscellaneous Housing Act.
Séamus Hayes, housing services officer with Limerick County Council, told the judge, “In my opinion antisocial behaviour has taken place and is likely to take place if Dermot Ryan stays in the estate.”
Mr Hayes, under questioning from Mr Leahy, told the court he had received a letter from one of Dermot Ryan’s neighbours, which said: “I feel like a prisoner in my own home. Dermot Ryan has made my life a living nightmare.”
Mr Hayes added: “Limerick County Council sees it as its duty to make the order” against Ryan. “We have a duty to protect the other tenants in the estate.”
The housing officer and a colleague called to the homes of people living in the Sharwood and Castleview estates to compile evidence in the case. “People expressed fear of Dermot Ryan and complained of intimidation and harassment over recent years.”
Garda Sgt Frank Downes, of Newcastle West Garda station, told the court that “people in the estate are absolutely terrified” of Ryan and that Ryan “has been involved in breaking into houses and assaults on gardaí, for which he has been convicted”.
The garda agreed with Mr Leahy that it was his opinion antisocial behaviour would continue if Ryan stayed living in the Sharwood estate.
Ryan’s brother, John Ryan (31), also of 17 Sharwood, Newcastle West, consented to the exclusion order brought against him, barring him from entering both Sharwood and Castleview estates for a period of three years. No direct evidence was heard against him.
A third man, Tom McCarthy (29), of 46 Castleview, Newcastle West, also consented to the exclusion order brought by the council against him. He has also been banned from both estates. No direct evidence was heard against him.
McCarthy’s brother, Dan McCarthy (23), also of 46 Castleview, Newcastle West, has had his case adjourned until December 14th, 2012.