In October 2006 Former Dublin City Manager, John Fitzgerald,
was appointed by the government to lead an initiative to
address issues of social exclusion and crime and disorder
in Moyross and other estates.
His appointment
was prompted by a horrendous attack on two children in
Moyross the previous September that shocked the nation.
Six-year-old Millie and her little Four-year old brother
Gavin Murray are lucky to be alive after they became human
fireballs when their mother's car was doused with petrol
and set alight while they were inside. The attack took
place because their mother had refused to give someone
a lift to the courthouse 10 minutes earlier. Two teenagers
were later charged and convicted.
In April
2007, the Fitzgerald Report was published to great
acclaim. It recommended the regeneration of Moyross, St
Mary's Park, Southill and Ballinacurra Weston. This was
to take place over a 5-year period and would involve the
demolition of over 3,000 homes.
It also recommended
that in the short term, "confidence and stability"
should be restored in the Communities with the establishment
of a dedicated Garda service for areas targeted for regeneration.
This never happened
In June
2007, the Government established a Regeneration Board
and appointed members from various agencies. Residents
are not properly represented on this Board, which will
ultimately decide what happens.
In September
2007 the Limerick Regeneration Agencies opened their
doors to the public. There was a sense of hope and expectation
about the proposed regeneration. Residents Forums were
set up and Residents committees were established.
In January
2008, President Mary McAleese launched the Northside
and Southside 'Vision' documents.
On 28th
October 2008 the Regeneration Agencies presented 'Limerick
Regeneration (A Vision for Moyross, Southill & Ballinacurra
Weston and St. Mary's Park)' to Limerick City Council.
This is what is loosely called the 'Master Plan', even
though it is subject to change.
On 27th
October 2009, President Mary McAleese is wheeled out
again by the Regeneration Agencies in an attempt to restore
credibility. Our President 'opens' two community centres,
one in Ballananty (not Moyross) and one in Southill, both
of which had been open for over a year and neither of
which had anything to do with regeneration. Indeed, the
community centre in Southill is targeted for demolition
in the 'Master Plan'.
Despite all
the hype and over 3 years since the publication of the
Fitzgerald Report many areas look worse than ever
before. Limerick City Council is busily depopulating and
boarding up perfectly good houses as people feel they
have no choice but to leave.
Homeowners
are paid a pittance for their homes and are turned back
into tenants. Anti-social behaviour waxes and wanes. Illegal
dumping is rife. The Public Health Inspectors reports
are being ignored and the rats are thriving. It seems
more like degeneration than regeneration.
In March
2010 it was admitted by the Regeneration Agency the
their 'Master Plan' was not feasable and that a downscaled
version would be submitted to government for approval,
which was done in May 2010.
On 17th
June 2010 the government pledged €337 million
for the next four years of the Limerick Regeneration Project.
However much of this money will be spent on roads and
displacing people. It is claimed that some sheltered housing
units (48) will be built in Moyross and on the Southside
in Edward St (20 units). The proposed Edward site is outside
the legal remit of the Regeneration Agency.
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