WORK ON HIGH ST TO BEGIN SHORTLY

IT is expected that work will take place in the coming weeks to dismantle the front of a crumbling building in Sligo Town.

One of the older buildings in the town, measures have been taken to keep people away from the front of the property at 39 High Street, with the footpath and part of the roadway in front of it cordoned off.

Fianna Fail Councillor Tom MacSharry said at a recent county council meeting that the situation is a cause for concern for locals and people using the nearby amenities, including the Dominican Friary which is next to the building.

“I spoke to the head of the friary recently who says he is worried about his parishioners going in and out from mass”, Cllr MacSharry noted.

“Not only that but you can see both High Street and Market Street have been hit particularly hard in recent times with plenty of businesses closing in that particular area.

“It is my belief that the council should try and move forward the demolition.”

In his response to Cllr MacSharry, Director of Services at Sligo County Council, Tom Kilfeather said that moves were made by the council late last year to deal with the issue.

“( We became) somewhat concerned regarding the deterioration of the front facade at the property and served a notice on those with responsibility to inform them that the building was considered to be a dangerous structure.”

A subsequent engineers’ report found that the building is “unsafe, structurally unsound and at high risk of collapse”. Demolition was then recommended.

Mr Kilfeather continued to explain that as the building is included on the council’s Record of Protected Structures, the property’s agent was instructed to have the building assessed by a conservation specialist.

The report was received by the council on May 10 th. It recommended that the “careful dismantling of the facade of the building take place”.

The report also contains a strategy for the future reconstruction of the building’s facade.

Mr Kilfeather said these works are expected to take place within the next two to three weeks.