The appointment of former Dublin city manager John Fitzgerald to lead efforts to tackle crime and social problems in Limerick's Moyross estate has been broadly welcomed. A number of local representatives said however they would wait to see whether the initiative produced results.
Since an arson attack that left two young children seriously injured and the gangland killing of Frankie Ryan, the President, the Taoiseach and the Tánaiste have all visited the area over the past month.
At the weekend the Government appointed Mr Fitzgerald to lead a new taskforce established to tackle crime and social exclusion in Moyross. This follows a recent upsurge in violence in an area where unemployment is five times the national average.
A native of Galbally in Co Limerick, the former Dublin city manager has been asked to make suggestions to help regenerate Moyross and other disadvantaged areas of Limerick. He is expected to report regularly to Government.
Paddy Flannery, of Moyross Community and Enterprise Centre, said he welcomed the appointment but was reluctant to comment further until he had met Mr Fitzgerald. "I welcome his appointment, await to see what will come out of it. I'm looking forward to meeting with him," he said.
Alan Meagher, editor of Changing Ireland, a national magazine based in Moyross, said he was optimistic about the new appointment but said some locals might be more cynical.
"I would largely welcome Mr Fitzgerald's appointment but I'd have some reservations. Is he going to cut through the layers of bureaucracy or become another layer of bureaucracy?" he said.
"I would definitely veer towards optimism rather than pessimism. However, I've no doubt that some people in the area will view this cynically after 25 years of ghettoism," he added.
Independent city councillor John Ryan also welcomed the taskforce but said the "jury was out" as regards whether it would prove successful.
"I would have to welcome it in a broad way, but I would be concerned that the Government isn't just trying to pass the buck over to somebody else in order to lose ownership of the problems in Moyross," said Cllr Ryan.
"I think Mr Fitzgerald should immediately talk with gardaí in Limerick and find out exactly what extra resources they need as I don't think they will say it publicly but they might say it to him," he added.
Local Independent councillor John Gilligan also welcomed the appointment but said it "can't be an academic exercise".
Meanwhile, a Moyross man appeared before a special sitting of Limerick District Court yesterday charged in connection with an attempted arson attack.
Kenneth Slattery (26), Sarsfield Gardens, Moyross, faces four charges arising out of an incident which took place early Sunday morning when a mother and two children were forced to flee their home. Mr Slattery is facing three charges of criminal damage and one charge of threatening to commit criminal damage.
He was remanded in custody until tomorrow.