'It is not acceptable': Cork City Council criticised for leaving derelict buildings empty for years
The city council was also criticised for acquiring some buildings several years ago and doing nothing with them, while officials confirmed they were engaging with the owners of several prominent and vacant retail sites with a view to securing redevelopment.
The issues were debated after Cllr Niamh O'Connor asked for an update on the buildings at 62 to 65 North Main Street, which were declared derelict in 2015, and suffered a partial collapse in 2019, forcing the city to step in and stabilise them, before it acquired them by compulsory purchase order (CPO) in 2022.
Legal complications linked to maps and title arose later, delaying the post-CPO process.
Ms O'Connor was told the council was now progressing 'viability assessments' of several options to redevelop the properties.
'On conclusion of the viability assessment process, it is envisaged a formal development proposal will be advanced for planning permission and ultimately commencement of redevelopment,' she was told.
She welcomed the update but asked for a timeline.
Niall O'Donnabháin, the council's director of services for planning and integrated development, said: 'It needs to move forward quickly.'
Fine Gael councillor Des Cahill criticised the council for acquiring certain buildings and doing nothing with them.
He said he knew of one house in his ward which was bought by the council 12 months ago, and remained unused.
'Another one, seven years, bought and paid for, but unused,' he said.
'On one hand, we have a council being praised, and fair enough, praise when praise is due, but on another hand we have a ream of properties we do nothing to for years.
It is not acceptable to have properties bought by the council and left empty. It's appalling.
Council chief executive Valerie O'Sullivan said she shared Mr Cahill's frustration about properties acquired in the past and not returned to use, and she said her new management team had been tasked with getting to grips with this issue, to identify a use for them, and many could come before council soon for statutory disposal.
Separately, Labour councillor John Maher asked for an update on several vacant retail sites, including the former Roches Stores, Debenhams building, the Savoy shopping centre, the old Argos building and North Main Street shopping centre.
Officials said they were inspected periodically, continuously monitored and subject to active engagement with the property owners to encourage and support the return to use of properties.
Mr Maher was also told the old Grand Parade Hotel is owned by the council and forms part of the block which incorporates the city library.
'Plans are being developed to consider development options for this important city centre block in the context of the council's wider ambitions for the regeneration of the area,' officials said.
Mr Maher was also told the site at 4-5 Father Matthew Quay was subject of ongoing engagement between the council and the property owner, which could see it returned to use as a commercial premises in the short term, while the council was also engaging with the owners of the former Maher's Sport premises at 7-8 Parnell Place to help realise its redevelopment as quickly as possible.
Read More
Councillors erupt into war of words after former Cork lord mayor votes against social housing scheme
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
RTÉ News
2 hours ago
- RTÉ News
Michael Flatley to make bid for Irish presidency, court told
Riverdance star Michael Flatley is to seek a nomination to become Ireland's next president, a court has heard. The choreographer's barrister made the announcement during a High Court case he has taken in relation to works carried out at his mansion in Co Cork, the Castlehyde. Barrister Ronnie Hudson notified the court of a "material change in circumstances" for Mr Flatley, and said he is to move back to Ireland within the next 14 days and look to run in the presidential election this autumn. An affidavit, signed by Mr Flatley's solicitor, Maxwell Mooney, was submitted to the court stating that the Irish-American is "to seek nominations to run for president of Ireland". Lord of the Dance star Mr Flatley, who is eligible to run as an Irish citizen, had strongly hinted at a presidential bid last week, but said he had not made a final decision. He said during a radio interview that he did not believe the Irish people "have a voice - not a true proper deep voice that speaks their language". Mr Flatley said he hears concerns from the "average person on the street" and they are not "happy right now". "Somebody has to speak for the Irish people," he said. He was in Ireland earlier this month, where he performed on a flute at a 4 July celebration hosted at the residence of the US Ambassador to Ireland, Edward Walsh, who was recently appointed to the role by Donald Trump. An election for the largely ceremonial role is expected towards the end of October, as it must take place in the 60 days before outgoing President Michael D Higgins' term ends on 11 November. To be eligible to run, a candidate must be an Irish citizen who is 35 or older. They must be nominated either by at least 20 members of the Irish parliament or at least four local authorities. So far, two candidates have secured sufficient backing to enter the race: former farming journalist and EU commissioner Mairead McGuinness, who is the Fine Gael nominee; and Catherine Connolly, a left-wing independent and former Galway mayor who has received the backing of opposition parties and independents. Several other figures have hinted at their intention to run, including MMA fighter Conor McGregor, who has criticised the Irish Government's policies on immigration and public safety. At the High Court today, defence barristers in Mr Flatley's case argued against the affidavit being accepted by the court and stated that it was an attempt by Mr Flatley to "move the goalposts". Andrew Fitzpatrick SC said Mr Flatley had said before in 2024 that he intended to move to Paris and then Valencia. "That didn't happen," he told the court. He also said that if the court was prepared to admit the affidavit, it would undermine previous assertions made by Mr Flatley's side that the reason he is living in Monaco and cannot return to the state is because of the condition of the Castlehyde. Ms Justice Eileen Roberts said that as Mr Flatley's residence "is so central to the issue of security of costs" in the case, she would allow the affidavit to be taken into account, but said she "entirely" heard submissions made by the defence about the characteristics of the affidavit and what weight it should be afforded. She said she expected the judgment in relation to the costs application to be delivered in a "reasonably short period", and that it would be given "shortly after" the end of the courts term.
Irish Independent
3 hours ago
- Irish Independent
Michael Flatley to make bid for Irish presidency, court told
The choreographer's barrister made the announcement during a High Court case he has taken in relation to works carried out at his mansion in Co Cork, the Castlehyde. Barrister Ronnie Hudson notified the court of a 'material change in circumstances' for Flatley, and said he is to move back to Ireland within the next 14 days and look to run in the presidential election this autumn. An affidavit, signed by Flatley's solicitor Maxwell Mooney, was submitted to the court stating that the Irish-American is 'to seek nominations to run for president of Ireland'. Lord Of The Dance star Flatley, who is eligible to run as an Irish citizen, had strongly hinted at a presidential bid last week, but said he had not made a final decision. He said during a radio interview that he did not believe the Irish people 'have a voice – not a true proper deep voice that speaks their language'. Flatley said he hears concerns from the 'average person on the street' and they are not 'happy right now'. 'Somebody has to speak for the Irish people,' he said. He was in Ireland earlier this month where he performed on a flute at a July 4 celebration hosted at the residence of the US Ambassador to Ireland, Edward Walsh, who was recently appointed to the role by Donald Trump. An election for the largely ceremonial role is expected towards the end of October, as it must take place in the 60 days before outgoing President Michael D Higgins's term ends on November 11. To be eligible to run, a candidate must be an Irish citizen who is 35 or older. They must be nominated either by at least 20 members of the Irish parliament or at least four local authorities. So far, two candidates have secured sufficient backing to enter the race: former farming journalist and EU commissioner Mairead McGuinness, who is the Fine Gael nominee; and Catherine Connolly, a left-wing independent and former Galway mayor who has received the backing of opposition parties and independents. Several other figures have hinted at their intention to run, including MMA fighter Conor McGregor, who has criticised the Irish Government's policies on immigration and public safety. At the High Court on Friday, defence barristers in Flatley's case argued against the affidavit being accepted by the court, and stated that it was an attempt by Flatley to 'move the goalposts'. Andrew Fitzpatrick SC said Flatley had said before in 2024 that he intended to move to Paris and then Valencia. 'That didn't happen,' he told the court. He also said that if the court was prepared to admit the affidavit, it would undermine previous assertions made by Flatley's side that the reason he is living in Monaco and cannot return to the state is because of the condition of the Castlehyde. Ms Justice Eileen Roberts said that as Flatley's residence 'is so central to the issue of security of costs' in the case, she would allow the affidavit to be taken into account, but said she 'entirely' heard submissions made by the defence about the characteristics of the affidavit and what weight it should be afforded. She said she expected the judgment in relation to the costs application to be delivered in a 'reasonably short period', and that it would be given 'shortly after' the end of the courts term.
Irish Independent
6 hours ago
- Irish Independent
Kerry ‘needs to sell itself' to Ryder Cup market
With individual homeowners in Kerry already advertising accommodation to golf tourists ahead of the event, the call for Kerry County Council (KCC) to start putting Kerry on the map as a destination was made by Fine Gael Councillor Angie Baily at a recent Tralee MD meeting. The view is being spearheaded by Kerry's close proximity to the Adare Manor in County Limerick where the competition between the USA and Europe takes place in September 2027. So far, close to 110,000 people have registered their interest in attending the event. It's estimated the Ryder Cup will result in a €100 million boost to the Irish economy, while government is likely to spend over €60 million as part of preparatory work for the golf classic. Cllr Baily asked KCC for updates on the marketing campaign for the Ryder Cup, and what the expected footfall in Kerry is likely to be. She further asked what plans are in place so Tralee – as the county capital – can effectively capitalise on the event. 'With Kerry, we're pushing well above our weight. I think this is something we can hugely benefit from. But there will be a massive shortfall in accommodation,' she said. 'I just feel we need to start plugging ourselves and selling ourselves to the market of those people who will be coming here and to get a nice slice of the in excess of a quarter of a billion economic boost for Kerry, and the long term benefits for building tourist relations,' Cllr Baily added. KCC said its tourism unit is working with Tourism Ireland's golf division to ensure Kerry is well positioned as a premier golf and holiday destination, particularly in the US, UK, and European markets. The council's tourism unit confirmed advertising within the Spirit of Ireland – a North American travel magazine with a distribution of 100,000 and 2,500 tour operators. Its autumn 2025 edition will feature a dedicated focus on golf, helping to raise awareness of Kerry's world-class courses and associated offerings. 'Discussions are ongoing with local groups including Kerry Tourism Industry Federation, the Irish Hotels Federation, and Fáilte Ireland to ensure the county is well prepared to maximise opportunities arising from the Ryder Cup,' said KCC management. 'This collaboration aims to ensure that tourism providers across Kerry are ready to welcome and accommodate the increased demand and will include discussion with Tralee Chamber Alliance.' The Ryder Cup is one of the sport's premier competitions that has not taken place in Ireland since 2006.
