Derelict sites in Drogheda

Issued : Wednesday 25 February, 2015

Although there would appear to be a large number of derelict buildings around the town of Drogheda none have been added to the Derelict Sites Register of Louth County Council according to local councillor Pio Smith.

At a meeting of Drogheda Municipal District Cllr Smith put forward a motion calling on Louth County Council to carry out an analysis of derelict buildings in the town in order to update the Derelict Sites Register for Drogheda.

Cllr Smith said “ I am happy that the council are going to undertake a review,however the fact that there has been no property added to the register in years is alarming. A site or property can be classified as derelict if it contains dangerous or ruined structures or indeed if the structures are in a neglected or unsightly condition. So, a mere walk around the town will reveal buildings that meet all of that criteria yet they don’t appear on the Register.

There are vacant houses in Brookville,Pearse Park,Rathmullen and other estates that are either boarded up or vacant for the past ten to twenty years yet no action has been taken by the council. I know of residents in Brookville and Pearse Park who live beside vacant houses who suffer due to the fact that gardens have overgrown into their premises. Squatters have taken up residence in some of the premises over the past twelve months and engaged in drug and alchol parties.The Mill Lane off Trinity Street has become a dumping ground.

Louth County Council need to ascertain the current ownership of such properties and serve notice on individuals or companies to restore the building to a non derelic standard and if they fail to do this then impose a financial fine on the owners that covers out the cost of completing the works”.