Relief for those living in unfinished Mayo estate as report submitted

It has been confirmed that a technical report has been submitted to Mayo County Council relating to the current state of Ballindine’s Ard Lugalisheen estate.

This report is seen as a significant milestone in the efforts of residents of the estate to upgrade the living conditions in the estate, and the process to formally take the estate in charge by the Council is now underway.

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This long-awaited progress comes after nine years of uncertainty and frustration for the 22 households in the estate. Residents were left in a state of limbo after the developer was alleged to have effectively abandoned the site, failing to complete key infrastructure.

The estate has remained unfinished, with essential works such as the final layer of tarmac left undone, several manholes exposed, and a complete lack of public lighting that leaves the estate in darkness during the winter evenings.

In 2023, Mayo County Councilor Alma Gallagher submitted a motion to the Claremorris–Swinford Municipal District urging Mayo County Council to take decisive action and assume responsibility for the estate.

At the time, an update was also requested on the Council’s ongoing engagement with the developer, whilst clarity on the Water Assessment Report commissioned in 2023 was also requested.

Lastly, Councillor Gallagher called for progress on the stalled public lighting scheme.

At that time, the Council responded that although they were in communication with the developer, the primary responsibility for upgrades remained with him.

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Now, recently surfaced developments show that the necessary technical documentation has been submitted, and the estate takeover process has commenced, with works funded by the developer’s bond.

"I am now happy to confirm that after many months of working with the residents and Mayo County Council that the technical report has been submitted and the take over process is in situ funded by the bound," said Cllr Gallagher.