Convicted drug dealer branded ‘neighbour from hell’ as residents reveal long-running ordeal over constant visits to Dublin house by hoodies and druggies overdosing outside The Irish Sun on Sunday today lifts the lid on 47-year-old Lena Moran’s litany of criminal convictions — as we lay bare the ordeal her fed-up ­neighbours in Swords, Co Dublin, have been subjected to Exclusive 6th January 2019, 9:00 am Updated: 6th January 2019, 9:00 am A CONVICTED drug dealer has been branded “a neighbour from hell” as we reveal the long-running ordeal that other residents have endured. Mother Lena Moran, 47, is being probed by the Gardai and council officials over ­constant anti-social behaviour at her local authority house. Moran is a local horror Moran is a local horror The Irish Sun on Sunday today lifts the lid on Moran’s litany of criminal convictions — as we lay bare the ordeal her fed-up ­neighbours in Swords, Co Dublin, have been subjected to. The council house tenant has been busted with heroin and cocaine on numerous occasions. And she has one conviction for unlawful possession of drugs for sale or supply in 2007. Frantic neighbours of Moran — who first became addicted to heroin at the age of 14 and subsequently got involved with criminals — told us how they were “living in fear”. Locals in the Castlegrange estate revealed there could be dozens of visitors a day to her pad — with “all sorts” of anti-social behaviour day and night by them. Neighbours of Moran have told us how they were 'living in fear' Neighbours of Moran have told us how they were 'living in fear' One desperate dad declared: “It is a living nightmare. She is the neighbour from hell. “We can’t take any more. Something has to be done about this madness. We are at our wit’s end.” An Irish Sun on Sunday investigation team noticed a steady stream of visitors dropping into the property on a daily basis. Some of the visitors, including hooded individuals, stayed at her gaff for short periods of time — heightening neighbours’ fears of anti-social behaviour. Some of the huge number of visitors who turned up at Moran’s property, with some only staying for a very short period of time Some of the huge number of visitors who turned up at Moran’s property, with some only staying for a very short period of time And our photos show discarded syringes in a play area just 60m from Moran’s pad as horrified ­residents revealed they have had to stop their kids going out to play. Terrorised families have also complained about criminal damage to their vehicles by some individuals, with one car even being stolen and set on fire. Locals say they have to “put up with” a series of overdoses directly outside Moran’s council house and “never-ending” ­late-night and ­early-morning disturbances. Some of the noisy disturbances — which include shouting, rows and physical fighting — have started as early as 5am while others have happened during daylight hours. Exasperated residents told the Irish Sun on Sunday they have had to install security cameras and wear earplugs to get any sleep. Locals say they are speaking out about the chaos due to real concerns resulting from the presence of Moran’s acquaintances in the area. We understand the Gardai have ­carried out a number of raids on the property. Fed-up residents have repeatedly complained to the cops and council chiefs about problems in the estate coming from Moran. Locals say there have been issues with the tenant and drugs for years. But they lashed out at Fingal County Council and accused the local authority of a lack of action. Ireland is facing the worst housing crisis in its history. Yet the council allow a woman with a drug dealing conviction to live in a council home when there are families with children living on the street or in hotels. Furious resident One furious resident said: “We are fed up and tired of the non- responsiveness of the council. “After numerous Garda raids and nightly disturbances, we now have to put up with hooded individuals lurking on our street and looking into our sitting room windows for items to steal. “We are starting a signed petition to present to the council for action. “Ireland is facing the worst housing crisis in its history. Yet the council allow a woman with a drug dealing conviction to live in a council home when there are families with children living on the street or in hotels. “Fingal County Council should be ashamed of themselves for ignoring our pleas for action. We are speaking out as a last resort effort to receive help for an entire housing estate. We are desperate, this is an intolerable situation.” Moran was previously given 150 hours of community service in lieu of a three-month prison sentence for the unlawful possession of drugs for sale or supply after being busted with cocaine in 2007. Among her other raps, the addict mum was given a €400 fine for the unlawful possession of heroin in July 2016. Moran was further charged with the obstruction of a garda relating to the case after she discarded a bag of heroin at the side of a vehicle and swallowed another bag. In May 2016, Moran was fined €200 for another obstruction charge after she refused to be searched in a Garda station. She was also convicted and fined €200 after being caught with heroin in September 2016. Syringe in the play area Syringe in the play area Swords District Court heard Moran became addicted to heroin at the age of 14 and then “got in with an undesirable crowd of ­criminals”. Her barrister also said her father had gone on TV alleging he was involved in the drugs trade and this had implications on the family as they received threats. On Facebook, Moran says she works “at home” and lists her favourite TV shows as Crimewatch, Forensic Files and Love/Hate. But her neighbours say they are “truly terrified” by what’s happening on their doorstep — and are putting together a petition as they now don’t feel safe. One local said: “For many years now Fingal County ­Council has allowed a woman with drug convictions to live in a council house on our street. “Despite numerous complaints for many years to Fingal County Council from many of the residents in the estate, this woman has been allowed to remain here. “Gardai have raided this house numerous times for years. Both the Gardai and the emergency services have been called in for very frequent late-night disturbances. “Drug addicts are collapsing on the street and the ambulance service has been required to come and give necessary medical assistance.” They added: “Residents do not feel safe walking on our road ­anymore as many hooded addicts roam the street at all hours of the day and night. Even the children don’t play on the street anymore. “Fingal County Council has been informed numerous times by email and phone. The answer we get, if we ever get one, is that they are investigating. “Still, for years now, no action has been taken by the council. We are now gathering names of all protesting residents on a petition to have Moran removed. “We believe that Fingal County Council should take action and remove her from our estate. We are begging for help. Another resident said: “I’ve never seen the like of it. “The anti-social behaviour is so blatant. You would hear the noise all the time, people calling to her house day and night, shouting for Lena Moran. It’s hard to live here. “We complain to the Gardai, we complain to the council, the council don’t do anything.” The Irish Sun on Sunday has seen a series of emails sent by the concerned residents to Fingal County Council. In their most recent response to residents, officials said the matter was under investigation and said they had contacted cops. An ­official in their housing department wrote: “I wish to acknowledge receipt of your recent email regarding allegations of drug dealing and criminality from a council tenancy in the Castlegrange estate. “Please be assured that the Council’s Estate Management Team investigate all allegations received. I note the allegations reference significant criminal activity. 'It looked like a man had overdosed & was dying on the green' By Gary Meneely FED-up residents have been highlighting how ­anti-social behaviour has being taking place on their doorstep for years. Here are excerpts from emails sent to Fingal County Council by concerned residents as far back as 2017 — and the local authority response. MARCH 21, 2017 — EMAIL FROM CONCERNED RESIDENT TO FINGAL COUNTY COUNCIL I SPOKE to a colleague of yours on the telephone this morning and I was speaking to him regarding a tenant in (the house in) Swords, Co Dublin. The Gardai have searched this house on numerous occasions and there have been public nuisance rows and at the moment on St Patrick’s Day a young ­person passed out on the doorstep and she put him in her car and drove away. I am disappointed in the area I live in. I have lived in the house since the 1990s and it was always a good place to live. Why are the Council allowing this tenant to bring this area into disrepute when there are ­thousands of people homeless and living in ­Emergency Accommodation who would be ecstatic to have a three-bedroomed house to raise their families in? I await your reply. APRIL 3, 2017 — COUNCIL RESPONSE I WISH to advise you that your email has been noted. Kind Regards. JUNE 23, 2017 — CONCERNED RESIDENT I AM writing to you to report an incident that happened yesterday afternoon. I was driving home yesterday around 6.50pm. As I turned the corner, [I could see a man] simply falling about unable to walk properly. There were small ­children on the street and several neighbours looking on at this spectacle from across the street and also the neighbouring houses... I called the Guards to report what was happening and told them it looked like the man was overdosed and dying on the green. The Guards simply told me that they had received about seven calls already and that they would send someone as quickly as possible. They advised me to call an ambulance and tell them exactly where the man was and also wait for them on the street to show them the way once they arrived. I called 999 and after about ten minutes the Fire ­Brigade arrived. I waved to them and showed them where the body was lying. Fortunately they revived the man and shortly after the man’s brother showed up and took him away. We have been complaining for YEARS . . .  and Fingal County Council does absolutely nothing! We have even found used needles along the walkway around the estate especially the walkways around the green area at the end of the road. None of the children living in this estate are safe and we as tenants have taken enough of this. NOVEMBER 26, 2018 — CONCERNED RESIDENT WELL just to let you know we did not have a nice weekend on our road . . . . On Sunday morning approx 2.30am there was a very loud altercation which continued for approx 45 to 60 mins. My husband rang the Gardai but to be honest they were obviously very busy or else they could not be bothered coming up to deal with the same old. I first awoke to loud banging which I now believe was the front door of [the house] being kicked . . .  then shouting and I mean shouting because I could hear loud and clear what was being said . . . Can you please advise me what I can do to feel safe in my home again? NOVEMBER 27, 2018 – RESPONSE FROM COUNCIL I WISH to acknowledge receipt of your email dated November 26, 2018, in relation to the above tenancy. Please note these matters are under investigation by Estate Management Section. Please be advised that the Gardai are the statutory body responsible for investigating any reports of alleged drug dealing. I regret the delay in replying to this email as I was on leave. Can you please address any further emails to estatemanagement@fingal.ie in order that you receive more prompt attention going forward. Please do not hesitate to contact me . . .  should you wish to discuss this matter further with me. “I expect that you have also referred this matter to An Garda Siochana for investigation. As part of the council’s investigative process, I can confirm that Fingal County Council have contacted the Garda Superintendent in Coolock on the matter.” The local residents have also contacted their local TD Clare Daly who has raised the matter with Fingal County Council. When asked for a statement by the Irish Sun on Sunday, Fingal County Council said they couldn’t comment on “individual tenancies”. But the council said they make “strenuous efforts within our powers under current legislation, to resolve a range of problems emanating from anti-social behaviour, understanding the detrimental effect on the quality of life for communities, where it occurs”. They added: “The increased incidence of anti-social behaviour has become a marked feature of society generally in recent times and local authority estates have not escaped. Most read in news 'stunning angel' Irish beauty queen mowed down by jeep dies a hero after saving girl's life FINAL CALL Tragic dad told wife to 'put phone down' before stepping out in front of traffic DECAPITATED AT BIRTH Nurse pulled baby's head off during birth leaving it inside mum's womb Exclusive great balls of fire Irish mystic's 2019 predictions - from catastrophic wars to new leaders Latest 'GET MA OUT, NOT US' Dublin drug mum's son tells authorities to boot her from council gaff EVICT PLAN DELAY Traveller family eviction postponed after they barricade themselves inside 1 / 3 “It is important to point out that there are several categories of anti-social behaviour and various levels of seriousness within these categories. “Unfortunately, it is our experience that in an increasing number of cases, anti-social behaviour is of such a nature that it is properly a matter for the Garda authorities to deal with it. “It would be inappropriate in some cases for us as a local authority to engage beyond our competence, particularly where cases of criminal behaviour are involved.”