Meeting to be held over rats in Bogside

The meeting is due to take place over the coming days and will involve various key statutory agencies and representatives from the local community.

It comes following concerns raised by residents living in the area.

Colr. Logue said: “While I understand that rodents can be a problem in any district, there has been a particular problem in the Meenan Square area and a number of streets off it and in and around Lisfannon Park.

“I am glad that following discussions with the Bogside and Brandywell Initiative (BBI) a multi-agency meeting will now be held with the NI Water, Housing Executive, Environmental Health and the local residents group to see what measures can be put in place to jointly address this problem.”

The Bogside area is one of a number to report outbreaks of rat infestation over recent years.

Previously, there have also been issues in the Knockena area off the Buncrana, as well as at Lone Moor Road and in Strathfoyle and the greater Galliagh area.

Irish species of rats normally produce up to five litters of between one and ten pups in a year and typically breed between March and November. Life expectancy for a rat in Ireland is around 18 months, according to Conservation Ireland.