Council express disappointment at damage to new houses

LOUTH County Council Housing Department have expressed disappointment at the discovery of a number of incidents of vandalism to new local authority housing units in Dundalk.

The incidents occurred on Tuesday January 31st at four properties within Park Green, Coulter Place, Dundalk.

Windows were broken at the front and rear windows of the units, with damage to a patio door, and further damage to the inside of one property.

Paddy Donnelly, Director of Services at Louth County

Council explained the impact of anti social behaviour on housing which is awaiting allocation.

“These are particularly disappointing incidents, which cause not only additional costs for Louth County Council as a housing authority, but which can lead to a delay in allocating new homes in a time of a national housing crisis.”

He added that it was “very disappointing for new tenants to see their new home for life violated in this way. There can be an impact on young children seeing this vandalism on their new home and then having a fear of moving to the location.”

Vandalism anti social behaviour are “ a real distraction on staff who are managing over 4000 local authority units and a waiting list in excess of 3,500.”

The incidents have been reported to Gardai.

An appeal has gone out to any members of the public who may have witnessed this behaviour to report it to gardai and to Louth County Council on 042 93 35457.