Residents concern over drug use and anti-social activity near their homes

Residents of a Navan development say that life is becoming a nightmare because of the amount of drug use and anti-social behaviour around their apartments.

One resident of The Steeples said residents regular find used needles, tin foil and even blood in the car park, and drug users are seen hanging around the car park. One of the gates to the complex has been broken.

The resident, who didn't want to be named for fear of reprisals said he regularly sees people who have clearly been using drugs.

“As well as the bottles, needles and foils, I've often seen people sleeping in the car park.

“I hate to think of my wife going to the car park alone and one of my neighbours had tools stolen from his van,” he said. Cars have been damaged and local residents are very worried. There are a lot of children living here and this is a huge concern for their parents.”

He said that there were also a lot of supermarket trolleys left in the area.

“We need better lighting and CCTV” he said.

Cllr Eddie Fennessy said he was contacted by tenants from the Steeples apartment complex who are extremely concerned for their safety and particularly the children in the area.

“An underground car park at the complex is beset with anti-social behaviour and drug taking. "I visited the car park twice last week and was shocked to find dirty needles and other drug paraphernalia strewn around. Parents I spoke with are very worried that young children are at risk of infection from used syringes.

"I spoke with the Gardaí who are aware of the problem and I'm also making contact with the management company who look after the complex.

"Parents should not have to live with the fear of their children contracting a serious infection from dirty needles.

"Measures such as the repair of broken gates and better lights in the carpark would go a long way towards addressing the issue and reducing the risk faced by local children.

"I will liaise with the local residents, the Gardaí and the management company until the danger has abated," he said.

Navan Gardai said they were aware of “people hanging around” and had received calls relating to the situation.