'A solo run based on gossip and innuendo' - Mayo family hit out at local councillor

A well-known family in Balla have hit back at what they term as a 'a solo run based on gossip and innuendo' by Cllr Donna Sheridan. 

Concern was raised at a meeting of the Castlebar Municipal District on Wednesday over the use of accommodation on Main Street in Balla for homeless people, with one local councillor calling for greater transparency and community engagement on the issue — though the family who own the premises have since moved to set the record straight.

Cllr Donna Sheridan said it had come to her attention through local residents that the Olde Woods premises on Main Street was being used as homeless accommodation, but that this had not been communicated with the wider community. She expressed concern that the accommodation lacked full-time on-site staff and wraparound support, which she said made it unsuitable for people in such vulnerable circumstances.

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"Having homeless accommodation in places where there is no full-time staff, no staff on duty 24 hours a day, is not suitable in my opinion," she said, adding that people she had spoken to who were living in homeless accommodation across the district shared similar concerns.

Cllr Sheridan called for a public meeting to allow residents to discuss the situation and for the Director of Housing to attend and explain what plans were in place. As not one of the other six councillors would second the motion, the proposal failed.

She also questioned whether the accommodation was being used to house people from the local district, noting that keeping families close to their homes and schools had been a recurring priority in previous discussions.

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However, the Dempsey family, who own The Olde Woods premises, have responded directly to the councillor's comments, saying they felt it necessary to correct what they described as 'misinformation'. In a statement sent to The Mayo News, the family explained that the premises is leased to an independent company which has been housing Ukrainian residents since 2023. They said that only three of the twelve rooms had recently been made available for people on the homeless list, on a short-term basis, while the majority of the property continues to be occupied by Ukrainian residents.

"Contrary to misinformation, the majority of the premises is still occupied by Ukrainian residents, whom have been warmly welcomed into the community and have integrated very well, with many now employed and in education locally," the family said.

The Dempseys expressed disappointment at how the matter had been handled, saying Cllr Sheridan had raised the issues without having her facts correct and had "engaged on a solo run based on gossip and innuendo." 

Cllr Cyril Burke, while acknowledging the need for discussion, proposed a more targeted approach than a full public meeting. He suggested that council officials meet with the accommodation provider and a small delegation of community leaders and local councillors, arguing it was important to gather all the facts before any wider public engagement. He also stressed the importance of keeping people within their own localities and highlighted the challenges of housing individuals from very different circumstances under the same roof.

The family said they were supportive of the approach proposed by Cllr Cyril Burke and appealed for a more measured and informed discussion.

"We, the Dempsey family, have provided over 70 years of hospitality and service to the people of Balla and beyond," they said, adding that any disorder or concern in the community was as much a worry to them as to any other local family.

David Mellett, Director of Services with Mayo County Council, clarified at the meeting that there was no formal arrangement with any provider in Balla. He said the council's only formal arrangement was with Charlestown Lodge, and that other accommodation was sourced on an availability basis when that facility was full.

He added that the council made particular efforts to keep families as close to their homes and schools as possible, and said a broader debate on emergency accommodation would be welcome, suggesting the matter could be considered by the Strategic Policy Committee.

Cllr Michael Kilcoyne attributed blame for the broader situation, saying it was a consequence of government failure to adequately fund housing for local authorities. "If they'd done their jobs and provided adequate funding for houses to this local authority and all the rest, we wouldn't need homeless accommodation," he said.

Funded by the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme