A motion urging a balance be struck between private, affordable and social housing resulted in a row at this week's full meeting of Kerry County Council.
Fine Gael councillor Tommy Griffin said that in meeting its social housing targets, the council ensure an even spread between the various housing types.
He argued that Milltown has disproportionately “borne the brunt” of meeting social housing targets in recent years.
According to Cllr Griffin, there's a stark imbalance, with over 200 social housing units due to be delivered in Milltown by the end of the year.
He emphasised an urgent need for affordable and private housing in the town.
He clarified that he was not calling for a reduction in social housing numbers.
He maintained, instead, that smaller towns like Milltown, with limited capacity, should prioritise affordable housing rather than focusing solely on social provision.
Fianna Fáil councillor Tommy Cahill described the level of anger in Milltown as “frightening,” with great frustration over the lack of affordable and private housing.
He also referred to what he considered unacceptable levels of anti-social behaviour in the area.
Sinn Féin's Cllr Robert Brosnan interjected, asserting that anti-social behaviour should not be equated with social housing.
Cllr Deirdre Ferris of Sinn Féin called on Cllr Cahill to withdraw his remarks, describing them as a “disgusting attempt to stigmatise people living in social housing estates.”
Cllr Cahill strongly rejected this, insisting he was not stigmatising anyone and accused Cllr Ferris of "putting words in [his] mouth".
