Limerick City Council is placing its mobile CCTV monitoring system on the Old Cratloe road on the north side of the city near the Limerick Institute of Technology at the request of gardaí following a rise in assaults and anti-social behaviour in the area.
The latest incident happened last Thursday afternoon when a student from LIT received cuts and bruising when he was assaulted close to the college.
There have been a number of assaults in the area in recent months in which young people and students have been targeted in what appears to be a series of random attacks by a group of young men along that stretch of road leading from the city suburb of Caherdavin into the Co Clare countryside.
In another incident two first cousins were attacked, in which one received a potentially serious injury to his eye.
Another time, a group of youths attending a 21st party were attacked close to the Country Club premises on that road.
Gardaí at Mayorstone Garda Station are investigating a series of assaults and have appealed for information.
Extra gardaí are now to be placed on patrol over the next six months in an effort to end the series of incidents, and find those responsible.
Limerick City Sinn Féin TD Maurice Quinlivan said they had asked for the extra CCTV monitoring because of the problems in this area.
He said the incidents are causing huge concern for students and others living in the area.
Permanent cameras are needed in the area to aid in stamping out the problem, he added.
Fine Gael Senator Kieran O’Donnell, who has arranged a number of residents' meetings in the area, said Limerick has received no extra gardaí in the last two rounds of new recruits who have passed out at Templemore.
He said senior garda management in Limerick have now committed a sergeant and two extra gardaí to patrol the troubled areas at the weekend.
Senator O'Donnell said residents who are fearful of intimidation and the menace caused by young people involved in anti-social behaviour say they want to see more gardaí on the beat.
He said, in a wider context, the laws governing anti-social behaviour and ASBOs will have to be looked at to see if they need to be strengthened, as ordinary householders in these areas are feeling threatened.
Limerick City and County Council say that in addition to locating its mobile CCTV at locations at the request of gardaí, they are planning on an expansion and upgrade of its CCTV system.
The upgrade will see an additional 300 camera installed, which they say will aid in crime prevention initiatives and security for residents.
