Council urged to follow example of Mayo publican's 'get on with it' attitude

The example of a Mayo publican who rebuilt his pub six months after it was burnt to the ground should be followed when it comes to building houses according to a local councillor.

The High Chaparral in the village of Geesala in Erris reopened to the public in early August six months after it was destroyed by a fire.

The pub which has been in the Munnelly family for over 70 years was completely destroyed after a fire ripped through it in the early hours of February 7 last.

However, despite this the Munnelly family decided to rebuild and reopen the pub and with the help of the local community, it was reopened in time for the Geesala Festival.

Speaking at the monthly meeting of Mayo County Council, Cllr Gerry Coyle said that the High Chaparral was rebuilt because the Munnelly family 'got on with it' and the same attitude should be adopted to building homes.

“I want to congratulate the Munnelly's in Geesala who have shown to the world what can be done ...six months and one day from when the place was burnt to the ground it reopened.

“Why? Because they got on with the job and did it. The builders came and the people came. There are about 18 or 20 council houses in Erris riddled with pyrite and if you got John Munnelly to get in on the job he would have them all built before Christmas. But they are still there and falling down,” he said.

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The council houses located in Carrowtighe have been contaminated by pyrite and Cllr Coyle urged the council to knock them down and get them rebuilt.

“For God's sake knock them and don't let them just stand there. We own them and the ground and the sewer and they are still left there,” he said.

Meanwhile the Fine Gael councillor criticised the council for questioning people who had emigrated from the locality and wished to return to build a house if they have any links to the community.

“Peopel who were baptised in the water in Doohoma and Geesala are now being asked to prove they are form the area. Their grandfathers house and fathers house are across the road.

“They are proud Erris and Mayo people and if they want to build somebody who never slept a night in Erris in their life should not be asking them to prove where they are from. That needs to be looked at immediately,” he said.