Local authorities should show discretion to people who have been involved in drugs or anti-social behaviour, if they want to move to another council home if they want a fresh start. Since the shooting, months of violence, arson attacks, beatings and attacks on homes have continued. “Local authorities have to dictate to the local housing body who does or does not get a house. “I don’t think discretion is shown now but I wouldn’t have a problem with discretion towards people with extreme circumstances,” he said. Mr O’Dowd stressed that authorities should only show discretion for extreme or exceptional cases so that only people who genuinely want to turn their lives around would benefit.

Source: Irish Examiner November 19, 2019 18:00 UTC