Depiction of housing estate in book criticised

A Limerick city councillor has criticised the depiction of a local authority housing estate in a new book about feuding criminal…

A Limerick city councillor has criticised the depiction of a local authority housing estate in a new book about feuding criminal gangs in Limerick.

Mr John Gilligan (Independent), who lives in the Kings Island area of Limerick city, has criticised the image of St Mary's Park portrayed in the book by Limerick author Anthony Galvin called Family Feuds.

According to Cllr Gilligan the author gives a misleading impression of the area in a passage where he describes driving through St Mary's Park.

"The book claims that while in St Mary's Park the author saw three vans from Walsh Windows replacing broken panes of glass. To those who do not know the area it would be far easier to form the impression that the area was prone to constant riots to suffer that much damage," said Cllr Gilligan.

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"Nothing could be further from the truth. The vans were in fact replacing windows and doors as part of a refurbishment programme by the city council. The vast majority of people in St Mary's Park are decent, honourable people who want nothing more then to get on with their lives," he added.

According to Walsh Windows director Mr John Walsh more than 2,800 windows and 1,500 doors were fitted in St Mary's Park last year as part of the city council's refurbishment programme.

"It was a pleasure working in St Mary's Park, and we found the people in the area extremely co-operative, and the project was finished two months ahead of schedule," he said.

Mr Glavin said he would be happy to clarify the passage relating to St Mary's Park when his book goes to reprint.

"I did not realise that the Corporation was involved in a refurbishment programme. I was just describing what it was like to someone not from the area. There are lovely people living in the area. It's just a small element that have been involved in the problems."