Call for social housing on site

CLLR Paul Bell is calling on Louth County Council to develop the empty halting site on the Cement Road into social housing.

The site, which until recently housed the family and extended family of Owen Maguire, has now been cleared and according to the Labour councillor, would be the ideal location to build houses and tackle the lengthy housing list.

“This is zoned residential, and I think given the homeless crisis, and the sizeable waiting list we have in the tow, there would be some degree of urgency to this matter,” he told the January meeting of local councillors.

Cllr David Saurin agreed that the possibility of building there should be looked into.

“It would be well worth exploring this as a possible site, as there are so many negative connotations, and I am actually mystified how one person could take over so much and engage in anti-social behavior for so long,” he commented. “It is a great opportunity for the town, and it should not fall into further disrepair.”

The site was an official council halting site and was one of the first in the town to have houses built, providing accommodation for Traveller families.

In July 2018, it was the location of a shooting, where Owen Maguire was shot six times. He is under armed guard in Our Lady of Lourdes hospital, however the site was completely cleared recently by the council.

Cllr Oliver Tully questioned whether it could be used for social housing given it had received funding as a halting site, but was assured by council officials that if the need is greater for social housing than a halting site, that would be sufficient cause.