Lack of consultation on emergency housing draws criticism

Mayo Co Council has been criticised for failing to engage with the local community in Balla regarding the use of a former pub as emergency accommodation.

Fine Gael Cllr Donna Sheridan told last week's Castlebar Municipal District meeting that the Olde Woods pub, which closed in January 2023, is being used to house homeless people, something the local community was not made aware of until it happened.

“We need homeless accommodation but having it in places with no full-time or 24-hour staff is not suitable and it is not appropriate to have no background supports and services in place,” she said.

Cllr Sheridan proposed a public meeting be held in Balla so there is “communication” and “transparency” around this issue.

However, her proposal failed to attract a seconder. Independent Cllr Michael Kilcoyne said Cllr Sheridan should direct her proposal to her party leader because they are currently in government.

“If he did his job correctly, we wouldn’t need emergency accommodation,” he said.

Cllr Sheridan’s party colleague Cllr Cyril Burke said he would rather a private meeting take place between the Head of the Castlebar Municipal District, the accommodation provider and a delegation from the local community council.

“We need further debate around the provision of emergency accommodation in our district. Some people need services and others just need a home because their landlord might be selling up the place they’ve rented for the last 10 or 15 years,” he said. “I want our officials to meet with the operator here rather than holding a public meeting where people come along and assume things.”

Cllr Al McDonnell said the owner of the Olde Woods had contacted him prior to the meeting and explained the property is currently leased to a company providing accommodation. There are ten units and when three recently became vacant, the council approached the company to use the Olde Woods as emergency accommodation.

“There are also a lot of false rumours about people engaging in anti-social behaviour on the street there. The owner is a highly respected individual and he is determined that if there was any misbehaviour, it would be rectified."

Director of Services David Mellett said there is no formal arrangement between the council and the property lessee. The use of the Olde Woods was necessary after the main emergency accommodation hub in Charlestown became full.

Cllr Sheridan said she was disappointed her proposal for a public meeting was not supported.

• Published as part of the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme.