Derelict properties in Castlebar town centre are 'potential death trap'

A councillor has warned that “somebody will be killed” unless a number of derelict buildings in Castlebar are dealt with.

A meeting of Castlebar Municipal District heard that derelict properties at Barrack Bridge are in a dangerous condition.

Fine Gael Cllr Ger Deere said the condition of the roof of one of the properties is an accident waiting to happen.

“The roof is badly damaged. If those slates come off somebody will be killed,” he stated. “I don’t want to have to come back in here and say I told you so,” he added.

Fianna Fáil Cllr Blackie Gavin said the derelict houses at Barrack Bridge “spoil the whole streetscape” and pose health and safety concerns.

Cllr Burke said work on the vacant properties should be done in tandem with works that are planned at nearby Charles Street.

Independent Cllr Michael Kilcoyne bemoaned the length of time it is taking to get the redevelopment of vacant properties at Charles Street up and running.

“At a time when people are homeless in the town it should not take you a year to get to the stage of preparing tender documents,” he told council officials. “It’s criminal how long it is taking.”

However, council officials say the delays lay with the Department of Housing.

Fianna Fáil Cllr Al McDonnell welcomed the number of social housing developments that are in the pipeline in the Castlebar area with 152 units planned.

“It’s a reasonably ambitious plan,” he remarked.