Yobs make life hell for locals on Navan housing estate

A Navan mother says that young thugs are making her life hell with continuous attacks on her home in Clusker Park. The woman, who is too frightened to be named, said she has endured five years of abuse from youngsters who are cuasing huge problems in the area. "My son has been abused by these youngsters and cannot go out to play, my garden is full of rubbish, bottles are constantly thrown at the house, they have been drinking in my shed and I have found human faeces there," she said. The most upsetting incident so far, she added, was a burglary at the house three weeks ago. "The place was ransacked. Jewellery, a DVD player, Xbox, Wii, my daughter's savings and even schoolbags and the duvets from the beds were taken," she said. She claimed that Navan Town Council hadn't been any help to her and, although the back door had been broken in, the council wouldn't board it up or provide a new door. She applied for a transfer to another estate six years ago. "This is causing us so much stress and we are not the only ones. It is worse than Beirut. My neighbours have also had to put up with antisocial behaviour, abuse and rubbish being thrown at their homes. We should be able to live in peace instead of sitting up waiting for someone to kick in the door," she said. Cllr Anton McCabe said he had numerous calls from residents in Clusker Park who are terrified by what is going on. "One woman is so afraid she didn't want me calling to her house, in case she would be identified," he said. "Another woman described it to me as the 'Limerick of Navan' and said the antisocial behaviour is happening aorund the clock. It is unacceptable," he said. He said, in one case, a woman's back door was kicked in and there was a great deal of fear among residents. He said he had lived in Clusker Park for 14 years and there never had been any problems there, but problems had developed over the past few years. He said that some of those causing the problems were not living in the area. Cllr Peadar Tóibín has called for the council to evict known and repeat antisocial behaviour offenders. He said a number of residents of estates have also contacted him with regarding what he described as "antisocial behaviour torture". He said: "Many families live in daily fear for their families and their property. Constant and targeted antisocial behaviour is being carried out by groups of thugs in many estates in Navan. I'm not sure if these thugs fully realise it, but their behaviour can turn families' lives into a living hell. It can get to a stage where people are not sleeping at night, are scared to leave their houses and don't let their kids out to play. "Those who are suffering these actions should contact the Gardaí immediately. They should also contact a councillor and the investigations officer of Meath County Council. The council needs to show these thugs that there is a consequence to their behaviour and evict them," he added.