A proposal for council tenant crime disclosure has been raised at a recent meeting of Waterford City and County Council, as concerns grow over drug dealing and anti-social behaviour in local estates.
Eamon Quinlan told councillors that residents in several communities feel “under siege” due to ongoing criminal activity, including on-street drug dealing and the use of homes as distribution centres.
Communities ‘living in fear’
Speaking at the plenary meeting, Councillor Quinlan said he and other elected members had engaged with residents’ associations who reported a serious impact on daily life.
He said constant drug-related activity has created fear in communities, limiting children’s ability to play outside and leaving older residents feeling unsafe in their own homes.
“These activities are leaving communities in a constant sense of fear,” he said.
“They restrict children from playing outside and make older people feel like prisoners in their own homes.”
Call for tenant disclosure rules
Quinlan argued that while the council requires tenants to report changes in income, it does not require disclosure of criminal convictions.
He said this creates an imbalance in how tenancy rules are enforced.
“The Council is very effective at monitoring financial circumstances but not criminality,” he said.
“We need to require tenants to disclose serious criminal convictions to the Tenancy Management Team.”
Under the proposed council tenant crime disclosure approach, tenants convicted of serious offences such as drug dealing, violent assault or domestic violence would be required to inform the council.
Quinlan said this would allow the local authority to take action where necessary, including reviewing tenancies in cases where individuals receive prison sentences of six months or more.
Focus on protecting victims and communities
The councillor also highlighted the need to protect victims within households and across wider communities.
He said earlier intervention by the council could provide a safer alternative in cases involving domestic violence or child endangerment.
“This would allow the Council to act in the interest of victims and protect other tenants and neighbours,” he said.
“We cannot ignore ongoing criminality in our communities.”
Council response highlights legal limits
In response, the council’s Housing Department acknowledged the concerns but stressed that legal processes must be followed.
Officials said there are “two sides to every story” and noted that criminal convictions are determined through the courts, following due process involving the Director of Public Prosecutions and the judiciary.
They also emphasised that barring or exclusion orders can only be granted by a judge.
Debate set to continue
Quinlan maintained that once a conviction has been secured through the courts, the council has a responsibility to act.
He said the proposed council tenant crime disclosure measure would ensure that housing policies better reflect the need to protect law-abiding tenants during an ongoing housing crisis.
The issue is expected to remain a topic of debate as councillors consider how best to address anti-social behaviour and criminal activity within local authority housing.
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