Castlebar estate residents living in ‘legal limbo’

Castlebar estate residents living in ‘legal limbo’

Anton McNulty

Councillors in Castlebar have asked for the takeover of estates to be a priority before the abolition of the Town Council’s after a management company informed residents of one estate they will be withdrawing their services from there.
It was claimed at last week’s meeting of Castlebar Town Council that residents of the Dunbeg estate on the Newport Road in Castlebar were living in ‘legal limbo’ after the agent acting of behalf of the management company for the upkeep of the estate informed residents they were withdrawing their services.
The Dunbeg estate is made up of over 100 houses and apartments and was developed by Kamer Construction less than ten years ago. Kamer Construction has gone into receivership and the agent acting as the management company informed residents by e-mail in February that they were withdrawing their services in April.
The issue was raised by Labour councillor Harry Barrett after questions remain over who will be liable for the upkeep of the estate as well as public liability issues. Cllr Barrett said he wants the issues to be resolved and proposed to invite the residents of the estate to the next council meeting to address them.
Cllr Michael Kilcoyne blamed the ‘archaic’ laws for not allowing the issue to be resolved while Sinn Féin councillor Therese Ruane said the residents were in a really difficult situation and were in a legal limbo.
“The residents are really distressed and they have a right to be. They got an e-mail on February 1 to say the company will no longer act as agent and that has caused a lot of stress for many residents. It is a no brainer, we need to take over the estate immediately,” she said.
The estate was close to take over two years ago but the construction company going into receivership stalled that process. Town Engineer, SeΡn Higgins said he has spoken to the residents association and hoped the issue could be advanced.
Cllr Eugene McCormack said it was crucial that the five remaining estates in the town were taken over by the Council before it is abolished. He was supported by Cllr Blackie Gavin who praised Mr Higgins on his work in the takeover of estates. He said the Town Council needed to take over as many estates as possible before the abolition of the Council because the ‘Mayo County Council is a disaster’ when it comes to the takeover of estates.
Town Manager, Seamus Granahan said there were two separate issues and that was regarding the housing and apartment side of the development. He said the council will not take over the apartments and a management company was needed to look after the common areas.
He said legal issues with the residents which needed to be cleared up first but the estate was in good shape and could be taken over by the council.