Bluebell United sign dream deal to buy land for a tenner

BLUEBELL United FC struck a deal of a lifetime this week, securing the transfer of a valuable plot of land near the Red Cow roundabout for just €10.

The vacant site, worth hundreds of thousands of euro, was in the hands of receivers for five years.

It is located beside Bluebell’s solitary football pitch, and lies north of the Red Cow interchange and Red Cow Moran Hotel.

Bluebell PRO Anthony O’Brien (60) negotiated with NAMA, South Dublin County Council, solicitors, and receivers over the last four years, in an attempt to secure the land for the club.

“I got right into the thick of it and was up to my tonsils in solicitor’s letters,” said Anthony.

“We only just got the keys on Tuesday. The next stage would be to get finance and build an all-weather pitch.”

The site, which is big enough to hold at least two football pitches, formerly belonged to Capel Developments, who went into receivership in 2012.

Prior to going into receivership, SDCC sought to buy the site for M50 upgrades and struck a deal with Capel in 2007.

The council paid compensation to Capel and the transaction proceeded, but they still owed Capel €450k when the company went into receivership.

NAMA then appointed a receiver to the site.

Anthony first became aware of the site’s potential availability in 2013.

“I wrote to all the TDs and councillors. Eoin O’Broin, who was a councillor at the time, got back to me, and asked me to get a copy of the land registry. That was a big help to me when I was talking to NAMA, the council and solicitors.

He continued: “O’Broin emailed NAMA, and then I was in direct communication with them, and contacted the council. I became aware they were trying to get a transfer of land. Things weren’t moving quick enough so I went to SDCC offices and asked to speak to the manager.

“Steve Keegan from Economic and Development came out to meet me, and he was a very nice guy. He started to move it.

At a meeting, the NAMA officer stood up, pointed to his solicitors, and said transfer the property to us (Bluebell).”

In June 2016, council members voted to transfer the land, at the nomination of the receiver, from SDCC to Bluebell Utd.

Following agreement between the council, Nama and the receiver, the lands were transferred to SDCC for a payment of €250k.

An additional payment of €200k to the receiver is in lieu of the council’s obligation to remove a spoil heap on the site, and remediate the land in a full and final settlement.

The council transferred the land to Bluebell Utd by way of a sub-sale for a nominal amount, for use as playing pitches, and a clause was signed whereupon the club cannot sell the land at a future date.

Pat O’Dwyer, from O’Dwyer English Auctioneers, said the value of land is based on zoning and other issues such as if it is located near transport links.

He said: “Two football pitches would be six acres. If zoned commercial it could be worth €6 million, if zoned greenfield, it could be worth €100k and if agricultural would be worth €20k and probably sell for €30k.”

The Echo asked SDCC about the zoning for the site late on Wednesday prior to going to print.

“You’ve no idea how happy we are,” said Anthony.

“Dick Meehan, who has been on the Bluebell committee since the 1950s, was a big help to me during all this, he is the elder lemon in the club.”