A RAT infestation currently plaguing a community in Northern Ireland is terrifying residents, a council meeting heard this week.
The rodents have been running through homes in Derry in recent weeks, leading some families to leave their homes for the sake of their terrified children.
A meeting between members of Derry City and Strabane District Council and residents took place yesterday, which saw those affected share their horror stories of the rat infestation.
One woman, who lives in the Bogside area, told BBC News that she has been forced to leave her home for the sake of her children.
"It's awful. As a family, we've had 10 carcases of rats taken out of the house," she said.
"The smell throughout the house and the noise of the rats running through the house at night is unbelievable.
"I've two children terrified to sit in their beds at night."
She added: "It's just not on, we just can't sleep.”
A number of other families in the area are understood to have also left their homes because of issues with rats.
This week’s meeting, which involved representatives from the Housing Executive, NI Water, housing associations and local elected representatives, revealed that the problem was coming from the area's dated sewerage and manhole system.
Pest control expert Charlie Page said: "The source of the problem is the manholes and then all the slips are going to every house in the Bogside.
"They (the rats) can get out anywhere because there are a lot of earthenware pipes down there. Over time, they've fractured and the rats get through.
"You must get the main source to prevent them going to houses. If you do that, the problem will phase out in a month or so."
Derry City and Strabane District Council does not provide a pest control service, but has confirmed that it’s Environmental Health team will investigate where public health is at risk.
"We would encourage residents to continue to report any incidents and reassure them that we are working to address the issue as a matter of urgency," they said.
