Ballinrobe being used as a 'dumping ground' 

Ballinrobe is being used as a ‘dumping ground’ for the homeless, it has been claimed.

The comments were made at a recent meeting of Mayo County Council.

Cllr Damien Ryan expressed his frustration that the South Mayo town accounts for 65% of the emergency accommodation provided in the county.

“There has to be a rebalance because there can't be 65% going to the south of the county when the need isn't 65%. Will there be an attempt to balance it across the various municipal districts?” Cllr Ryan asked.

Ballinrobe has taken enough, more than enough,” he added.

He said a building in the town has been turned into a ‘halfway house’ and the town does not have the necessary service to cope.

He was backed by Cllr Michael Burke who said some people are ‘afraid’ to walk past the hotel.

“People are afraid to walk past that particular building,” said Cllr Burke.

“This is a disgraceful situation and one which leaves a sour taste for the people of Ballinrobe. We have something which should never have been put in place and we are covering for most of the county. It has gotten so serious that some people are afraid to pass that particular building and that is not good or pleasant,” he added.

Cllrs Patsy O’Brien said there is a perception that Ballinrobe is being used as a ‘dumping ground’ for the county’s homelessness problems.

“It should be equal across the county,” he added.

Director of Services with Mayo County Council, Tom Gilligan said it is the local authority’s aim to get people out of homelessness as soon as possible. He pledged to take the concerns raised by the councillors on board.

Cllr Ryan said there needs to be a ‘meaningful attempt’ to redress the balance.