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Moyross Residents Alliance
A Brief History of Moyross


Moyross (Maigh Rois as Gaeilge) was developed between 1973–1987 in Limerick city and county. it is the largest social housing estate in Ireland.

Until 2008 the estate was unusual in that it spanned two electoral areas, with 728 houses part of the Ballynanty DED of Limerick City Council, and 432 houses in the Limerick North Rural DED of Limerick County Council. The city boundaries have since been redrawn so that the whole estate is now covered by the City Council.

Moyross comprises of 1,160 houses, which are divided into 12 parks. Moyross is currently the largest housing estate in Limerick City, and is located on the north side.

From the 1980's Moyross experienced extreme levels of poverty and disadvantage with an unemployment figure of 84% at that time. The community has had very high dependency on social welfare and a disproportionately young population.

In 2001 Moyross with, Ballynanty and Kileely was designated one of the 25 most disadvantaged areas in Ireland under the RAPID programme.

Population: The total population decreased by 7% from 4,448 in 1992 to 4,110 in 2002 and reduced again to 3,468 in 2006. Since 2007 Limerick City Council has been steadily depopulating the area (with funding from the Regeneration Agency) to facilitate the regeneration programme. There are no figures presently available for total population at this time.

Moyross has been strongly associated in the media with anti-social behavior and crime. Delmege Park is considered one of the worst affected areas of Moyross, with several incidents involving petrol bomb attacks and various gun-related incidents that reached a peak in 2006. An incident that has received much media attention was the 10 September 2006 petrol bomb attack of five-year old Gavin Murray and seven-year old Millie Murray.

The attack took place after their mother, Sheila Murray, turned down youths for a lift to a courthouse. 10 minutes later, as Sheila Murray's car was parked outside her family home with her two children inside, a petrol bomb exploded, engulfing the two children in flames. Although they survived the incident, Gavin and Millie have been left with permanent scars and continued medical treatment for intensive burns. Three teenager weree later charged and convicted.

The crime illustrated the desperate need for government attention in Moyross, and the neglect faced by some housing estates in comparison to more affluent areas of Limerick. Former Dublin City Manager, John Fitzgerald was appointed to lead an initiative to address issues of crime and exclusion in Moyross and other areas. He presented his report to the government in April 2007, in which he stated,

"The situation described above that applies to Moyross, Southill, St Mary's Park and Ballinacurra/Weston is extremely serious and must be dealt with as a matter of urgency both in the interest of the communities and the areas concerned and to prevent these problems from spreading to other parts of the city".

In October 2008, plans for regeneration of Moyross, Southill, St. Mary's Park and Ballinacurra Weston were presented to Limerick City Council. The plan for Moyross includes the demolition and rebuilding of approximately all 1,160 homes in the area, including derelict houses. Stricter eviction rules will be in place as part of the new plan, as will the need for a certificate of eligibility to receive a home.