Derelict houses in estate eyesore for community

FOUR derelict houses in St Maelruan’s Park in Tallaght have become “an eyesore” and “a blight on the local community”, according to a councillor.

The four properties are adjacent to Mountain Park and have been vacant and boarded-up for several years.

Fianna Fáil councillor Charlie O’Connor said concerned residents have contacted him about the houses on numerous occasions.

“The four houses have been vacant and derelict for quite a long time,” Cllr O’Connor told The Echo.

“Residents are very unhappy about it. It’s a long-established area of Tallaght, and they’re very unhappy that the houses have been left there for some time.

“They’re an eyesore, because they’re at the edge of the estate looking out so people going up to the school see them and people driving through Mountain Park see them.

“They’re a blight on the local community, and we need action.”

Cllr O’Connor raised the issue at Monday’s monthly meeting of the Tallaght Area Committee, where he sought details on what action the council is taking in relation to the vacant properties.

“Ideally, the residents want the council to create a situation where the houses come back into housing stock in some form,” added Cllr O’Connor.

In response to Cllr O’Connor’s question, South Dublin County Council stated: “The properties in question have been placed on the Register of Derelict Sites maintained by South Dublin County Council with a view to taking further action under the provisions of the Derelict Sites Act, 1990.”