Residents of Navan apartments living in terror of gangs of ‘feral youths’

Residents in an apartment block in Johnstown are being terrorised by “feral youths” who have kicked doors thrown stones and hurled abuse at residents.

The intimidation at Dunville House over the last few months became so bad that one traumatised family were forced to move out and stay with relatives.

“There is a group of them every evening hanging around outside bullying people, insulting women and throwing stones. One of them defecated on the stairwell, it was disgusting and very distressing for everyone,” said one resident.

“They seem to have realised that there is CCTV and now some of them wear balaclavas. It is extremely intimidating.

“They throw stones at the windows. One of these stones almost hit my wife in the head. Then, with a smile on their face, they ask her if she wanted to have fun.”

“They get into the building and kick the doors. They seem to have worked out where single women are living and target them in particular.

“People are very afraid. We have children and we are fearful if we speak out that they will punish our children.

“We have called the gardai numerous times, but there doesn't seem to be anything they can do or they come much later when the youths are gone.”

He explained that the youths, who are aged around 14 or 15 arrive at around in the early evening and the intimidation starts.

“None of them live in our apartment block, but some are local to Johnstown.

“They discovered that when a resident uses their fob to get into the building, the emergency doors also unclock and they get in that way.

“They get up on the roof of the bike shed and shout and jeer at residents.

“They spat at one woman who asked them to leave.

“It is becoming unbearable. People are coming home from work and just want peace to live their lives.”

Another resident said the youngsters seem to think they are untouchable.

“Because they are underage, they know there isn't much can be done. We are all very afraid. “We don't know what will happen next,” she said.

“We moved into this lovely new building a year ago. It is lovely and we have lovely neighbours but it is getting very frightening.

“I know some of those who moved in here have escaped domestic violence, so being faced with this now is very traumatic.

“One day they broke the electricity panel.”

“We have contacted the Gardai and Tuath (the housing body that owns the building) but nobody seems to be able to do anything,”

Cllr Alan Lawes described them as “feral youths who are out of control.”

“They are threatening people, throwing stones and then they laugh and say they are juveniles and can get away with it.

“The residents in Dunville were delighted to move into their lovely new homes but it is becoming a nightmare.

“One woman was so traumatised she left to stay with her mother. They were kicking her door and calling her names. Her child was absolutely terrified. The gardai don't seem to have the manpower to deal with it. Residents rang them one night when it was particularly bad and the gardai arrived at 8.30 the following morning.”

Cllr Lawes said the problem isn't isolated to Dunville House.

“There is a major problem with anti-social behaviour in Johnstown.

“In one case a very vulnerable man was being harassed constantly. Last year, they put fireworks through his letterbox and set his home on fire and he never returned.”

Cllr Lawes met with senior Gardai in Navan on Friday to discuss the problems in Dunville and Johnstown generally.

“The overriding message from them was that they need the public to make statements about these incidents and if people make a statement they will follow up and act upon it. I will offer my support to anyone who wishes to make a statement.

“I was told they will do their best to put on extra patrols in both Dunville and also Millbrook where there are serious problems.

“The Gardai explained that when someone calls 999, the call is triaged in Dublin in order of how serious they think the incident is.

“As regards the man whose home was set on fire last year, while they cannot comment on individual cases they will follow up with his family.”

Cllr Lawes also raised the issue of drug dealing in Navan. “At the moment the drug squad in Navan consists of just one sergeant and two gardai. This is to be increased by an additional four gardai, so there will be a sergeant and six gardai. They stressed that they welcome any information on drug dealing. I will also be having a meeting with the head of the drugs unit.

“I was also told of the work of Garda drugs intimidation officer who deals with people who are being intimidated by drug dealers.”

A spokesperson for Tuath Housing said the association has zero tolerance for anti-social behaviour and take this matter very seriously.

“We are aware of the issue and have been engaging with Gardai, who have increased patrols in the area.

“Measures have been taken by the Association to enhance the security of access points to the building and we has been in liaising with residents on this matter.”