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	18, 19, 33, 38 – 42 Barrack Street, Sligo	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 160	18, Connolly Park, Tubbercurry, Co. Sligo - House	The Owner	Yes	27/01/2022	€44,000
20	DS 175	61, St. Joseph's Terrace, Sligo - House	Augustine Gorman, 2, Garavogue Villas	Yes	04/12/2019	€100,000
21	DS 178	7 Knock Terrace, Wolfe Tone Street - House	Peter Forkin, Drimrue Cross, Powelsborough, Tubbercurry	Yes	17/06/2021	€200,000
22	DS 189	29, Chapel Street, Sligo - House	Rory Carroll, Ballyscannell, Ballinfull	Yes	15/04/2021	€75,000
23	DS 192A	1, Lower Quay Street, Sligo	Frances Kelly, Sligo Estates, Quay Street	Yes	21/07/2022	€50,000
24	DS 192B	2, Lower Quay Street, Sligo	The Owner	Yes	21/07/2022	€75,000
25	DS 204	3, Dominick Street, Sligo	Concepta Lynch, c/o Murphy Ballantyne	Yes	28/02/2023	€
26	DS 218	38, St. Joseph's Terrace	The Owner	Yes	11/08/2022	€100,000
27	DS 210	13, Market Street	Martin Hession, Ave Maria, Drumiskabole, Ballysadare	Yes	16/03/2023	€
28	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	€
29	DS 222	Property at Carrowhubback South, Main Street, Enniscrone, Co. Sligo	Noel Coleman, TV & Electrical, Bridge Street, Ballina, Co. Mayo	Yes	09/04/2024	€
30	DS 245	16/17 High Street, Sligo	Noel Keegan Main Street, Dowra, Co Leitrim	Yes	14/06/2024	€
31	DS 89	Knockaculleen, Dromore West, Co. Sligo	Sean Kilgannon, Ballyglass, Templeboy, Co. Sligo	Yes	29/08/2024	€
32	DS 81	Farnaharpy, Skreen, Co. Sligo	Michael Barrett	Yes	13/09/2024	€