Former Victorian school building now a ‘drugs den’

A vacant former school in Duke Street is the latest empty town centre building to attract anti-social behaviour.

Independent Councillor Kevin Callan is calling on Louth County Council to secure the gates and the building of the former Presentation School on Duke Street, which is currently unoccupied and falling into dereliction.

The once beautiful building which was built in 1840, is currently being used as a drinks and drugs den and people who work in the area, and who are walking up and down the hill to mass, are feeling intimidated by people using the site which is dangerous.

“I am asking the council to move to secure the site as there is a risk to those carrying out illegal drug taking and drinking within the building and site where there could be a risk of injury or arson. Also the issue has come to my attention by people who work in the area and also who walk up and down the street to get to mass and holy hour as well in Saint Peter’s. No one should feel intimidated when walking through the town and this issue has been going on for a long time,” said Deputy Mayor Callan at the April Borough Meeting.

“I had previously requested the council look to compulsory purchase the building to ensure it could be restored and secured and was told at the time that the work would be cost prohibitive as it’s a Georgian structure but we must act to do something with this central site is a state of dereliction”.

“We have an obligation to try to help those working and shopping in the area to feel safe when walking the streets of Drogheda”.