A massive regeneration plan for the most deprived areas of Limerick, involving the allocation of 100 additional gardaí and the demolition of 1,000 houses, was approved yesterday by the Government.
Minister for Defence Willie O'Dea, who represents the constituency, said later that the plan, based on a report by former Dublin city manager John Fitzgerald, was a radical one that would be very good for the city.
"There is a great feeling of relief that the complex issues bedevilling parts of Limerick are being dealt with. There was a danger that the problems were spilling out of certain areas and could affect the whole city and even the region," said Mr O'Dea.
He said that intensive policing, with the deployment of 100 extra gardaí under a dedicated superintendent, to police the most troubled parts of the city, was widely welcomed in Limerick.
"The regeneration of Southill, Myross and St Mary's Park with a plan to tackle the problem of derelict houses is another key component of the plan. Houses are being destroyed within 24 hours of people moving out and that is blighting these areas," he said.
Mr Fitzgerald was appointed by the Government to investigate the problems facing areas of Limerick and make recommendations after a number of violent incidents.
One of the most radical changes he recommended was the demolition of 1,000 houses to be followed by a rebuilding programme.
"There are approximately 1,100 houses in Moyross of which more than a third are not suitable for remediation work. There are also approximately 1,000 houses in Southill, over half of which are in a similar state . . ."
He pointed out that remedial work on social housing cost almost as much as a rebuilding and to date remedial work had not addressed the problem in the affected estates.