Council asked to put house on derelict register in Laois

Laois County Council has been asked to begin the compulsory purchase process for an “eyesore”  house in Timahoe. 

Fianna Fail Cllr Paschal McEvoy said the house was located beside another property but has been vacant since its previous owner died. He said the neighbouring house looks well and has a family living in it. 

“I feel sorry for the people living next door,” said Cllr McEvoy, who said, “it is an eyesore and something has to be done.”  Cllr McEvoy said the case should be even more urgent given the “awful housing crisis” in the country. 

He tabled a motion asking: “That Laois County Council take steps to add a vacant house at Esker Timahoe to the Derelict House Register and possibly start a CPO(Compulsory Purchase Order) process.”

In a written response, the Town Regeneration Section at Laois County Council stated that: 

“The Regeneration Section have opened a derelict file on this site and are arranging for an up-to-date site inspection to be carried out. If indicated by the site inspection, we will proceed to serve the relevant notices on the owner and add this site to the Derelict Site register. Cllr. Paschal McEvoy will be kept updated in relation to this file.”

Fianna Fail Cllr Padraig Fleming seconded Cllr McEvoy’s motion at the monthly meeting of Portarlington Graiguecullen Municipal District.