Fine Gael and Labour team up

Councillors Diarmuid Scully (FG) and Kieran Walsh (Lab) have joined forces to push for a youth centre in Garryowen to provide an alcohol and drug free environment for local young people.

At the next relevant council meeting, the councillors will introduce a joint motion to compel the authority to work with the regeneration boards, Limerick Youth Service, the Southside Regeneration Board and the Paul Partnership in providing a facility in the area.

The proposed facility would also serve the community in Singland and Rhebogue.

“We’ll be asking for land, financing and the council to take ownership of the project eventually. There are a lot of sports clubs locally but we need a space where young people are supervised instead of hanging around outside and becoming a target for drug dealers and crime,” said Cllr Scully.

“It would be informal and safe as well as offering something for young people who don’t play sports. Facilities a lot of time are taken to be football pitches and the kid who is out five nights a week playing soccer isn’t the one who needs an outlet. Ordinary young men and women have nowhere to go at the moment to just socialise and pass the time.”

He added that he hoped that a consulation process with local people would help to formulate plans for the centre.

Cllr Scully welcomed recently announced plans for a Garda Youth Diversion Project in the area but said that these projects are geared towards people as risk of getting involved in crime instead of the general population.

The project was one of 12 nationwide to be awarded funding by Minister for Justice, Brian Lenihan.

At a recent Sports and Culture Special Policy Committee meeting, Limerick City Sports Partnership also asked for €15,000 to fund activities in Garryowen.

The partnership emphasised that facilities were not all that was needed.