Southill, Limerick

Southill is an area in the south of Limerick, Republic of Ireland built up of four residential parks. The housing estates are O’Malley Park, Keyes Park, Kincora Park and Carew Park. Unemployment rates in the area as of 2003 were at four times the national average, with formal education in adults in Southill only at 50%. [ [http://archives.tcm.ie/businesspost/2003/11/23/story253358405.asp Real reasons for Limerick's crime wave: ThePost.ie ] ] A report from 1982 showed two-thirds of Southill's population were under the age of 18, with ninety-four percent having left school at the age of 16. [ [http://www.village.ie/Regeneration/Limerick/Correction_to_story_on_the_regeneration_of_Limerick/ Village - Politics, Media and Current Affairs in Ireland - Correction to story on the regeneration of Limerick ] ] Several reports done since the initial report in 1982 have shown similar trends. In the media, Southill is known for its crime rate, which is contributed to by gangland feuds, turf wars, and poverty in the area. However, efforts are currently being made to rejuvenate the area.

=Rejuvenation=On the 21 January 2008, plans were announced to rebuild 2,000 homes in the Southill and Moyross areas in Limerick City, after dialogue with residents who wanted to feel safe in their homes. It will be a radical push to lower the local crime rates. According to the report, 760 houses in O'Malley Park and Keyes Park in Southill will also be demolished and rebuilt. A number of residents will need a certificate of eligibility to get a house. Following that, strict eviction orders will be enforced and welfare payments will also be linked to contracts of accommodation. [ [http://www.rte.ie/news/2008/0121/limerick.html RTÉ News: 2,000 homes to be replaced in Limerick ] ] President Mary McAleese hailed the plan [ [http://www.breakingnews.ie/archives/2008/0121/ireland/mheyojmhqlid/ President hails Limerick regeneration plan | BreakingNews.ie ] ] . She stated,

"Today is about communities saying we're done with the past, we're not doing it again, and the future is going to be very different."

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