Laois council asked to buy house left vacant for 15 years or more

The council was asked to consider purchasing a house that has been empty for over 15 years. 

Cllr Aidan Mullins raised the issue at the latest meeting of Portarlington Graiguecullen Municipal District. 

He put down a motion asking: “That Laois County Council CPO the vacant house at 17 Ballymorris Manor, Portarlington.”

In a written response,  vacant Homes Officer Mr Gerry Ryan stated that: “Laois County Council’s Vacant Homes Office will attempt to contact the registered owner of this property.  If such attempt is unsuccessful, the option of C.P.O. will be examined.”

Cllr Mullins explained that the estate was built 15 years ago or more. “The first house in the estate has never been occupied. It has been lying vacant ever since that,” he remarked. 

He accepted that after 15 years empty, the property will likely need some work. However, he said structurally the property should be fine. 

“I just think it is a shame particularly in this emergency of housing. It is the talk of the estate, the talk of the whole area that nothing is done,” said Cllr Mullins. 

He said there is two parties involved with the property and he suspects that they would be open to selling it.  “It is a tragedy to see a brand new house never occupied,” he said.

https://www.leinsterexpress.ie/news/portlaoise-/971062/mystery-surrounds-portlaoise-house-ownership.html

Cllr Paschal McEvoy agreed with his council colleague and said he too would like to see the matter progressed. “I know the house it is right there on the corner. I think there is a dispute over it. It is crazy to see a brand new house sitting there, I’d say it’s been 20 years,” said Cllr McEvoy. 

He expressed his hope that the two people connected to the property might be open to selling it. He noted there was a similar house mentioned at the Portlaoise Municipal District meeting. “It is crazy to see brand new homes lying idle for 20 years and people living in homeless shelters,” he said.