Cllrs seek to stop sending local families to Charlestown

Castlebar councillors have called for the Municipal District to immediately cease sending local families seeking emergency accommodation to Charlestown.

Independent Cllr Michael Kilcoyne said the practice must stop and called for the withdrawal of the Castlebar Municipal District from the current arrangement.

Families with children in school in Castlebar have been sent 25 miles away to a centre in Charlestown as there is no accommodation available in Castlebar. 

Cllr Kilcoyne said mothers without transport have been forced to pay for taxis to bring their children to school in Castlebar.

Some of his fellow councillors expressed concern that council staff could find their hands tied if no Castlebar-based accommodation is available.

“You can’t get blood from a turnip if it isn’t there,” said Fianna Fáil Cllr Al McDonnell.

“Then we find it. We buy it,” said Cllr Kilcoyne, adding that the local authority has an obligation to house people in need.

Cathaoirleach Cllr Donna Sheridan said she agreed with Cllr Kilcoyne in principle but also feared what would happen if nothing else was available.

Councillors agreed to an amended proposal that would see families with children prioritised and homed in Castlebar where possible.

Independent Cllr Harry Barrett declared a “housing emergency” in Castlebar. He said there are currently 90 people homeless in the Municipal District as rents rocket and Airbnb “sucks the life out of availability”. 

“I am getting call after call from working families who cannot afford their rent,” said Cllr Barrett.

Meanwhile, it was claimed that Mayo County Council has been sending in a cleaning company to carry out work in homes that are fit to be demolished.

“It’s absolutely shocking,” said Cllr Blackie Gavin.

Cllr Kilcoyne queried why the local authority is spending cash on protective barriers on properties that should be immediately demolished instead.