Derelict buildings

Dear Editor,

Further to the recent a collapse of the derelict building on Upper Cork Street, Mitchelstown last week and Cork County Council’s response c. June 17 was that; the building is in private ownership, the owner is responsible for same and the Council would be undertaking an up to date inspection on the property.

The question is, is this property on the Derelict Sites and Dangerous Building Register? The Council are obliged by law (Derelict Sites Act 1990 and the Local Government (sanitary services) Act 1964) to hold a register of such buildings. And the legislation gives powers to the Local Authority to serve notice on the owners of such sites requiring specific works be carried out to eliminate danger. Owners who do not comply with such notices may be liable to prosecution.

In Fermoy, there is a derelict building on the corner of Patrick Street and Fitzgerald Place and the Council need to clarify whether this building is on their Derelict Site and Dangerous Structures register and if the council have served notice to the owner to make this structure safe.

Cork County Council need to be proactive and not shy away from their legal obligations. Public safety should be the Council’s priority and not the neglectful landlord.

My attempt to access Cork County Council’s register of Derelict Sites and Dangerous Structures was unsuccessful as it is not available online. I spoke with several Council officials and was eventually advised to contact a named official, however they were on leave. Why is this information not held on a central database?

Yours, Ted Myers, Kilworth.