Derelict Sites

Derelict Site Definition

The Derelict Sites Act, 1990, defines a derelict site as any land that “detracts, or is likely to detract, to a material degree from the amenity, character or appearance of land in the neighbourhood of the land in question because of”:

Structures which are in a ruinous, derelict or dangerous condition, or

The neglected, unsightly or objectionable condition of the land or of structures on it, or

The presence, deposit or collection of litter, rubbish, debris or waste

The Council can force owners to clean up these sites. It may prosecute owners who do not comply with notices served, to purchase land compulsorily; and to carry out necessary work themselves and charge the owners for the cost.

  

Offences

Under the Derelict Sites Act 1990, it is an offence to:

Remove, damage or deface a notice posted by the local authority regarding a derelict site.

Fail to carry out the measures required by the local authority to prevent a property from being classed as derelict within an allotted time.

Fail to notify the local authority of the transfer of land or interest in land (other than by will or on an intestacy) from one person to another. Both parties must notify the local authority in writing within 4 weeks of the transfer.

Fail to notify the local authority of the transfer of land or interest in land by will or on an intestacy. The new owner must notify the local authority in writing within 6 months and the representative of the person under whose will or upon whose intestacy the transfer occurred must notify the local authority in writing within 2 months.

Prevent an authorised person from entering or carrying out authorised business on the derelict site.

Anyone who commits an offence under this Act can be prosecuted by the local authority.

  

Compulsory Purchase

The local authority can buy a derelict site in its area, either by agreement with the owner or by compulsory purchase. It must advertise the details of any proposed compulsory purchase in the local newspaper and send a notice to the owner or occupier of the land, giving information about how and where to object to the purchase. If an objection is made, the local authority cannot buy the land without the consent of An Bord Pleanála.

If An Bord Pleanála approves the compulsory purchase and the local authority has dealt with any objections received, the local authority can buy the land, using a vesting order.

  

Derelict Sites Levy

The derelict sites levy amounts to 7% of the market value of the land concerned. The Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government may prescribe a higher percentage, which cannot be more than 10% of the market value.

Derelict Site Register

Number File Reference Address & type of Derelict Site Owner Urban Area Date Entered Valuation
1 DS 003 The Angler's Rest, Ballinafad, Co Sligo (former pub) Robert Fitzmaurice & Catherine Flynn/Fitzmaurice, Ballinafad, Boyle, Co. Sligo Yes 12/01/2008 €40,000 
2 DS 008 Main Street, Enniscrone, Co Sligo - Old Cottage Marie Sheridan (Harry Sheridan deceased) Yes 24/07/2007 €125,000
3 DS 019 Ardnaglass Upper, Grange, Co Sligo - House Lesley Feeney, 48, Fort Haven, Coolaney & Leslie Feeney, 60, Maugheraboy Yes 18/06/2010 €5,000
4 DS 020 Tawnymucklagh, Monasterraden, Co Sligo - Old Cottage Vincent Woods Yes 17/05/2007 €20,000
5 DS 044 15, Connolly Park, Tubbercurry, Co. Sligo - House Margaret Finan & others, Carrigans Upper, Ballymote  Yes 27/01/2022 €35,000
6 DS 046 Carrowhubbock South, Enniscrone, Co. Sligo - House Kathleen Coleman, Main Street, Enniscrone Yes 28/11/2008 €275,000
7 DS 047 The Hollow, Enniscrone, Co. Sligo Gay Boland (Chairperson) Yes 12/01/2011 €30,000
8 DS 074 Old Street, Collooney, Co Sligo - Former Crystal factory Ronan Clarke, c/o Dermott McDermott & Co  Yes 02/10/2010 €100,000
9 DS 080 Cissy's Macs Drumcliffe - Former Pub Thomas & Josephine McGuinn, Cloonmull House, Drumcliffe Yes 30/04/2012 €75,000
10 DS 100 High St./Market St. (old Savoy Cinema) Emma, Glenda, Imelda, Martin, Ronan & Tracey Gilroy, Grange Yes 21/10/2003 €1,500,000
11 DS 104 Former Creche, Rathbraughan Park David Harkin, Townahoosey, Killargue, Dromahaire Yes 09/06/2022 €50,000
12 DS 108 35-42 Holborn Street, Sligo - Houses Noel Keegan, Dowra Yes 09/12/2021 €700,000
13 DS 112 10, Chapel Street, Sligo - House Barnes Murphy, Erin House, Rosses Point Yes 27/04/2021 €100,000
14 DS 113 11, Chapel Street, Sligo - House Barnes Murphy, Erin House, Rosses Point Yes 27/04/2021 €100,000
15 DS 114 12, Chapel Street, Sligo - House Barnes Murphy, Erin House, Rosses Point Yes 27/04/2021 €100,000 
16 DS 116 Westgardens, Sligo - Old Hall Aidan Mannion, The Record Room, Grattan Street Yes 21/10/2003 €150,000 
17 DS 117 Westgardens/Market Street, Sligo - Building Property B Michael Garvey, Ballyogan, Culleens, Marian & David Garvey, 6, Meadowvale, Tonaphubble Yes 21/10/2003 €75,000 
18 DS 118 Westgardens/Market Street, Sligo - Building Property C Michael Garvey, Ballyogan, Culleens, Marian & David Garvey, 6, Meadowvale, Tonaphubble Yes 21/10/2003  € 75,000
19 DS 151 113, Garavogue Villas, Sligo - House Betty Moran, c/o O'Connor Johnson Yes 02/11/2017  €100,000 
20 DS 160 18, Connolly Park, Tubbercurry, Co. Sligo - House The Owner Yes 27/01/2022  €44,000 
21 DS 168 22, Market Street, Sligo David Garvey & Marian Garvey, 6, Meadowvale, Tonaphubble Yes 21/10/2003  €100,000 
22 DS 175 61, St. Joseph's Terrace, Sligo - House Augustine Gorman, 2, Garavogue Villas Yes 04/12/2019  €100,000 
23 DS 178 7 Knock Terrace, Wolfe Tone Street - House Peter Forkin, Drimrue Cross, Powelsborough, Tubbercurry Yes 17/06/2021  €200,000 
24 DS 189 29, Chapel Street, Sligo - House Rory Carroll, Ballyscannell, Ballinfull Yes 15/04/2021  €75,000 
25 DS 192A 1, Lower Quay Street, Sligo Frances Kelly, Sligo Estates, Quay Street Yes 21/07/2022  €50,000 
26 DS 192B 2, Lower Quay Street, Sligo The Owner Yes 21/07/2022  €75,000 
27 DS 195 No. 9, Church Street, Sligo Noel Ward, Drumiskabole, Carraroe Yes 20/01/2023 
28 DS 204 3, Dominick Street, Sligo Concepta Lynch, c/o Murphy Ballantyne Yes 28/02/2023 
29 DS 218 38, St. Joseph's Terrace The Owner Yes 11/08/2022  €100,000
30 DS 210 13, Market Street Martin Hession, Ave Maria, Drumiskabole, Ballysadare Yes 16/03/2023  € 
31 DS 235 Site at junction of Fatima Avenue and Cemetery Road Mark Devaney, c/o Ocean Sands Hotel, Main Street, Enniscrone, Co Sligo Yes 26/02/2024 €