National Campaign to Stop Antisocial Behaviour in Ireland

                                                                                                                                    What is anti-social behaviour?

Anti-social behaviour is a term generally used to describe any behaviour which is harmful to residents, their property or public areas. However under the Housing Acts of 1997and 1998 anti-social is broadly defined and includes the sale and supply of a controlled drug, possession of a controlled drug for sale or supply or distribution and any behaviour which causes or is likely to cause any significant or persistent danger, injury, damage, loss or fear to any person living, working or otherwise in or near a Dublin City Council dwelling, including a tenancy, group housing scheme or official halting site.

Such behaviour includes violence, threats, intimidation, coercion, harassment or serious obstruction of any person. Such behaviour should also be reported to An Garda Siocana.

                                                                                                                            What is an Anti-Social Behaviour Order?                                              An anti-social behaviour order is simply a mechanism whereby the law seeks to stop a person from behaving in a way, which is causing very serious distress to a community or to some person in that community.


                                                                                        

An unfortunate reflection of our times is the increase in Anti Social Behaviour.  With changes in society we have seen a rapid growth in disruptive and intimidatory tactics by gangs in our communities.  I have been spearheading the campaign for the introduction of ASBO’s to combat the rise in antisocial behaviour problems in our communities by a very small section of our society.I have numerous cases of homes being targeted by unruly youths, particularly elderly people living on their own.  I have been to the fore in making submissions on the reform of the Juvenile Justice Legislation.  Having seen first hand countless examples of the destruction and devastation caused to families I fully support the introduction of Anti Social Behaviour Orders.My conviction on the need for such a system was such that on the May Bank Holiday weekend I travelled to Leicester, England to examine the introduction of their curfew system and it’s consequences.  My proposal was aimed at a small percentage of repeat offenders who terrorise our neighbourhoods.  As part of a community policing approach an individual or location would have a curfew placed on them preventing anti-social behaviour by those few individuals or at that location.  I believe that a more all around approach is needed whereby support systems are placed in the community.

http://www.billykelleher.com/March06/asbo.htm



                                    Would you ever confront a gang of youths vandalising your property? Garry Newlove did-and with his life.
 

                                                                                                                                   

Garry Newlove's daughter describes the night he was beaten to death

                                                           Panorama: Taking Back the Streets BBC One 8.30pm on Monday 3 March 2008
Image courtesy BBC.co.uk