Doyle: Unfinished houses ‘an accident waiting to happen’
A CORK County Councillor has warned that the condition of four unfinished houses on a Charleville estate has created what he described as “an accident waiting to happen”.
While Cllr Ian Doyle (FF) welcomed the news that a new owner was set to address the conditions in a section of The Pastures in Charleville he raised concerns about the state of four houses on a site at Lois na Ri.
“They are in a seriously dangerous condition. The perimeter fence is non-existent and there is a pallet of block ten-feet high sitting on rotten timber that could collapse at any time. The site is totally unsecured and in my opinion is one of the most dangerous site in north Cork,” said Cllr Doyle told the July northern area committee meeting.
Cllr Doyle said it was his understanding that a derelict sites notice was to be placed on the site directly after the June committee meeting and if no reply was received from the owner within a fortnight action would be taken.
“Nothing has happened. We are in the summer season now with children playing around the site. This is a seriously dangerous situation and an accident waiting to happen. I don’t care who does it, but we need that site secured,” he said.
Divisional Manger James Fogarty said the legal notice had been served, the 14-days had expired and as of last Monday the issue had been handed over to the council’s legal department.
“There is a question over the ownership of the four houses, but once the notice has been served we have the right to take action and put a charge on the property. That is in chain as of this morning,” said Mr Fogarty.
He said that while the council shared Cllr Doyle’s concerns, due process had to be observed.
“This can be a cumbersome process and it can’t be done quickly enough as far as I am concerned but we cannot step over legal boundaries,” said Mr Fogarty.
“I can guarantee these blocks will be removed shortly and we will be taking the appropriate action. That may not happen tomorrow or the day after, but we will move on this as quickly as is humanly possible.” he pledged.