Rats and dumping claim at burnt out Laois council houses

Two council houses in Portlaoise that were burnt in a fire over a year ago, are now home to rats and dumping including syringes, report local councillors and residents.

Numbers 13 and 14 Lakeglen were destroyed by a fire in August 2022 and the delay in demolishing and rebuilding them has been criticised again this week, with allegations made of vermin on the site.

One resident spoke to the Leinster Express / Laois Live to describe the problem.

"I have seen rats run straight out of that garden across the green. The rats were in it before the fire because the people there had no bins. The council never cleared the rubbish out after the fire. They took nothing out. We have been frustrated by rats there the whole time.

"it is an eyesore. There are people living in this estate 50 years and it's a lovely estate. But someone is going to get hurt. Children are going in there to play. If something happens, who is at fault?" the resident said.

Cllr Willie Aird tabled a motion to the September meeting of Portlaoise Municipal District asking when work will start. 

Photos taken by a member of the public of dumping in the gardens of the houses.

Laois County Council gave the update that a tender for demolition is now being advertised, with quotes due back in October. 

"Once tender evaluation is complete demolition will commence on site," they said.

Cllr Aird added that the fence around it is being damaged repeatedly.

"We were told it would be three months, now it's 13 months. It's very frustrating. There are people there who are very proud of their estate. 

"I saw anti-social behaviour, used syringes and rats in it. It is not fair on peole. They deserve better than this.

"I hope that the demolition does it completely, and there is a fence erected that is not unsightly and compliments the estate. Whatever we can do, put something in place so a repeat of this won't take so long," he said.

Cllr Caroline Dwane Stanley seconded the motion, having brought several before urging replacement of the houses.

"The residents are proud of their estate but this is an absolute eyesore, not just in the estate, you can see it from the garage across the road. I am delighted to hear the demolition tender is going ahead, I'm actually glad the council is the owner. A private build was left seven years because of a debacle around insurance," she said.

Woman accused of drawing €271,000 pension payments of dead man

She said the Garda investigation into the fire has not yielded any answers.

"Why was it burnt in the first place? It's absolutely shocking. 

"The last fencing was literally lifted and robbed in a couple of weeks. I've seen it happen in Knockmay, the fencing was robbed immediately," Cllr Dwane Stanley added.

The Cathaoirleach Cllr Catherine Fitzgerald has received photos and reports of rats coming out of one of the houses.

"We are letting down the residents. We need to clear the site and the rubbish," she said.