Boarded Up Houses a Disgrace
Issued : Thursday 1 March, 2007
Cllr Jim McGarry described this morning as a disgrace that up to 70 houses throughout Sligo Town, in areas such as St. Edwards Terrace, St. Bridget's Place, Cranmore, Doorly Park, Tracy Avenue and Jinks Avenue are boarded up.He was commenting on a report provided to him by the Borough Council which details the list of houses.
These houses are boarded up in some cases for over two years. They have become a haven for anti social behavior and drink parties. In addition, people are using the gardens of the houses for illegal dumping. On several occasions and over the last year I pleaded with the corporation to clean up the mess left behind. And of course this is a strain on the housing budget. The residents in these areas are tortured by this behaviour and the whole neighborhood is dragged down.
Cllr. McGarry continued "it's a disgrace at a time when so many young people can't get a house and that these houses are left occupied. The Fíanna Fáil , Progressive Democrat government are responsible for this.
They have denied the funding to Sligo Borough Council to refurbish these houses. There are rumours circulating that funding is been held until election time. Other rumours that money is provided, but the department of the environment are stopping Sligo Borough Council from spending it. How can you give money to a project and then say you can't spend it! Whatever the reasons, the delaying tactic is unacceptable and on behalf of these communities I am urging the Fíanna Fáil Progressive Democrat government to provide funding without any further hold up so that these hoses can be refurbished and given out to people on the housing list."
Cllr 
