Dr Martin Power, Event Organiser and Course Director MA in Sociology (Youth, Community & Social Regeneration), UL, Dr Niamh Hourigan, Lecturer and Head of Graduate Studies in Sociology at UCC, Dr Amanda Haynes, Lecturer in Sociology, UL and Dr Eoin Devereux, Senior Lecturer in Sociology and Head of Department, UL pictured at the University of Limerick.
UL Sociology Seminar investigates Post-Celtic Tiger Limerick - Fear, Crime, Justice, Protection
Thursday, 29th March 2012
As part of the UL Sociology Seminar Series on Critical Perspectives on Youth, Community and Urban Regeneration, Dr Niamh Hourigan, Lecturer and Head of Graduate Studies in Sociology at UCC address a packed audience with her lecture entitled “Understanding Limerick in the Post-Celtic Tiger Context”. Dr Hourigan, who is from Limerick city and the daughter of a former Mayor, discussed three distinct elements of her research into fear and feuding in Limerick city.
Dr. Hourigan examined the micro-mapping of communities in terms of the differing needs of the ‘advantaged of the advantaged’, the ‘disadvantaged of the advantaged’, core crime families and members of the Travelling community. In considering the increasingly rational drives for participation in criminal activity, in light of the current economic recession and its impact on Limerick city, Dr. Hourigan said; “There is a clear need for integration of policy approaches between child protection and juvenile justice stakeholders in the Limerick context”.
Dr. Hourigan also discussed criminal justice, child protection and Regeneration policy responses to poverty-related crime in Limerick in the context of falling crime rates, local government amalgamation and cuts in public spending. Speaking at the event Dr Hourigan said; ““Despite the decline in crime rates in the city, significant challenges remain which must be tackled by local government in the coming years”.
Dr Martin Power, Lecturer in Sociology, UL and event organiser said; “The seminar series is a fantastic opportunity for our students on the MA in Sociology (Youth, Community & Social Regeneration), the academic community in UL, and the wider community in Limerick and beyond, to engage with leading national and international experts in these areas. We were delighted to have had Niamh Hourigan - whose edited collection, really does offer us the opportunity to ‘Understand Limerick’ - take the time to come to UL and talk about her important research”
For further information about the Critical Perspectives on Youth, Community and Urban Regeneration Seminar Series which runs until 11th April at the University of Limerick go to www.ul.ie/sociology