Clare County Council are to undertake a remedial works to a derelict building in Tulla if the owner does not carry out works as instructed by the local authority.
An update was sought by Cllr Pat Hayes (FF) at the July meeting of the Killaloe Municipal District as he cited Tulla’s ongoing issues with dereliction and vacant property.
Senior executive engineer, Niamh Madden said there had been constant engagement on the particular building in Tulla which was causing concern. She confirmed that the owner had been given a final opportunity to have works completed within a matter of days. “If no works are undertaken in next week or so, fire services will organise a contractor to carry out the works,” Madden stated on Wednesday last.
She outlined, “the street is cordoned off and has been cordoned off since it was notified as a health and safety issue, the Council has moved as fast as possible to give the owner a chance”.
Heavy goods vehicles are getting stuck due to the temporary structures put in place around the building, Cllr Hayes flagged. “We’re portrayed as Council for inactivity, the public will say the Council are doing nothing. This could take another month before we get a contractor in to do the works, the law is the law. We really need to tackle this issue, it could go on for another twelve months, the process isn’t the one suitable going forward for us all”.
Progress had been made, Cathaoirleach of the Killaloe MD, Cllr Joe Cooney (FG) insisted. “We all want to see action in that part of Tulla, it is a disgrace to have it derelict in the heart of Tulla”. Cllr Pat Burke (FG) told the meeting that one man from Tulla accused the Council of letting the centre of the town die while building houses on the periphery, “I lay the blame at the owners who are difficult to get in contact with”.
Director of Service, Anne Haugh detailed that schemes existed for owners of vacant property to utilise. Acting senior executive officer, Morgan Lahiffe advised the meeting he met with owners of vacant property in Tulla in recent weeks, “they told us of their plans to upgrade and utilise some of the repair and lease schemes available. There is bits happening in the background”.
