A Limerick City Councillor and Vice Chairman of the Limerick Joint Policing Committee has said Thursday his key priority on the Committee will be to use it “as a tool in the fight against drugs, organised crime and anti-social behaviour”.
Councillor Maurice Quinlivan said the committee, which was set up to involve politicians and community leaders with the Gardaí in tackling crime, will hold a public meeting to discuss the drugs problem in Limerick “with a particular emphasis on the heroin problem.”
“I am keen to ensure that the Limerick City JPC reaches out to the communities most affected by drugs and crime here in Limerick and I will be encouraging members of those communities to engage as fully as possible with the Committee.
It is essential that the communities give their account of the problems in their areas and offer their views of the best way to address those problems. It is even more essential that the Joint Policing Committee listens to what they are being told and take it on board when developing plans to tackle these problems. As part of this approach I will be proposing that the Limerick City Joint Policing Committee holds a series of public meetings in communities throughout Limerick in order to ensure proper dialogue and engagement between the committee and those suffering the effects of crime.”
Earlier this week Mr. Quinlivan expressed his “deep concern” at the proliferation of illegal fireworks that are being used in huge numbers around the city in the run up to the Halloween weekend.
“I have had a large number of complaints from all over the City. People have complained about damage to their cars after bangers are left on their roofs and bonnets. Bangers have been pushed through letterboxes and in a number of cases being thrown directly at people. Many pets are also suffering distress due to the very loud nature of these devices.” Quinlivan said.
The councillor says he has urged city Gardai to “do all they can to target those who are illegally selling these fireworks.”
Sinn Fein Cllr complains about use of explosives. That’s a first