Council confirm their tenants are not accommodated in controversial west Mayo house

MAYO County Council have denied that they have any association with occupants of a house on the Mall in Westport after concerns there was drug-use taking place.

The building along the North Mall in Westport was the centre of controversy in the spring when it emerged that it was being used to house homeless people who are unable to be accommodated by Mayo County Council.

Following an outcry by local councillors, Mayo County Council agreed that none of their tenants would be housed there but the house continues to be occupied.

Complaints

THE matter was raised by Westport-based councillor Peter Flynn who told the monthly meeting of the Westport/Belmullet Municipal District that he received calls and complaints from members of the public regarding the 'stench' of cannabis from the building.

Cllr Flynn said that one person told him that the stench was so strong that he felt sick and the Fine Gael councillor asked for clarity that none of the occupants of the house are council tenants.

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“If there is drug taking going on in the house and if they are selling it or people are coming out of jails [it] has no role of the council and is to do with the private landowner. I want to make it clear that as a councillor I condemn any landlord allowing any such behaviour going on in their premise.

“I want to confirm that this municipal district has no tenants in this house. It is a house which has come to the council's attention in terms of planning and fire regulation in the past and I want to ensure we have no hand, act or part in relation to this dwelling or landlord,” he said.

Cllr Flynn also informed the meeting that after speaking to Gardaí, he was informed that five people living in the house had been transferred from the Railway Inn in Ballinrobe which was previously the centre of anti-social activity.

Seamus Ó Mongáin, Head of the Westport/Belmullet Municipal District confirmed that the municipal district has not accommodated anyone in this house since the matter was last discussed in March.

Cllr Flynn welcomed the clarification stating that the councillors have done their part and if anyone has any complaints they should go to the landlord directly.

“I want the message to go out loud and clear that this is a private house with private tenants in it and they can continue to get stoned out of their head if they want in that particular building but it is not something this council is supporting,” he stated.