Ballinrobe business organisation invited hotelier to discuss disturbances

A Ballinrobe business organisation with 150 members invited the owner of the Railway Inn to discuss reported anti-social behaviour at his property.

This contradicts previous claims by the hotel owner, Ray Prendergast, who said he had ‘never been invited to participate in any meeting pertaining to my premises or its operation’.

The news comes as a senior Mayo County Council official has confirmed that the council has no contract with the Railway Inn.

The hotel was used by Mayo County Council to accommodate people who presented as homeless to the local authority. The council has since ceased using the property after several reported disturbances at the hotel.

According to a WhatsApp message seen by The Mayo News, Mr Prendergast was invited to a meeting with members of the Ballinrobe Enterprise Organisation (BEO) months before the council ceased using the hotel.

Meeting

Over five months ago, on November 7, a spokesperson for the BEO invited Mr Prendergast to a meeting in Tacú Family Resource Centre ‘for concerned citizens in relation to events surrounding the Railway’.

The meeting, which was attended by local elected representatives, was described in the message as ‘a gathering of people and a brainstorming of ideas as to how best to resolve the issues’.

Mr Prendergast, who said that he was out of the country on business, responded: “My understanding is that all these issues have been discussed with ye [sic] and the council at recent meetings.”

On Friday, February 28, the Ballinrobe Community Development Council sent a letter written by the BEO which called for improved security measures and accommodation standards at the facility.

Mr Prendergast has denied being responsible for an alleged increase in anti-social behaviour in the area and said the hotel is available for the general public.

The Ballyglass native said the hotel management had contacted the BEO and Ballinrobe Community Development Council ‘to request a meeting with a delegation from each group to discuss the misinformation and answer any questions’.

In response to a question from Cllr Patsy O’Brien at the monthly meeting of Claremorris-Swinford Municipal District, Tom Gilligan, Mayo County Council’s Director of Services for Housing, said there was ‘never a contract’ between the council and the Railway Inn.

It was then reported that Roscommon County Council had begun using the property after Mayo County Council discontinued its use.

Roscommon County Council has been contacted by Tom Gilligan, Robeen-based councillor Patsy O’Brien and The Mayo News for clarity on the matter.