Calls to secure two vacant cottages on Old Bawn Rd

THERE are further calls on South Dublin County Council to secure the vacant bungalows on Old Bawn road as there are fears of a repeat incident of a recent nearby fire which occurred on Brady’s Field.

As previously reported in The Echo, the two cottages, which are currently vacant, are located opposite Millbrook Lawns estate on Old Bawn Road and are being frequently used by people for congregating at to engage in drinking and anti-social behaviour, according to local councillors.

Councillor Teresa Costello for Tallaght Central says there are now fears that the two bungalows could see a similar fate as the vacant cottage located on Brady’s field, which caught on fire at the end of July this year.

“There have been so many reports of anti-social behaviour in the bungalows,” said Teresa.

“I did raise the motion because I do not want another Brady’s field – I do not want them burned down because they are PJ Burn’s cottages, and they are historic.”

In June last year, a petition calling on South Dublin County Council to purchase the two historical cottages in an attempt to preserve and develop them as a heritage centre and tearooms gained over 600 signatures.

Cllr Costello put a motion forward for the new County Development Plan, to “create a new Architectural Conservation Area (ACA) to the South to include Goose Park & TJ Burns cottages on the Old Bawn Road”, which has been included in the current draft plan.

Teresa added: “I have raised it officially in the council and said that this is what is going to happen if something is not done about them, and I do not want to be told that they were burned down.”

In South Dublin County Council’s response to Cllr Costello’s motion, they said that the properties are in private ownership and are “currently being examined under the provisions of the Derelict Sites Act, 1990.”

“To date, the registered owners of the properties have not responded to correspondence from the council.

“It is proposed to take further action under the provisions of the Derelict Sites Act as appropriate,” the council stated in their response.