No resolution in sight for collapsed building

There is no date of resolution in place at the site of the derelict building, which collapsed at 49 Upper Cork Street in Mitchelstown in early July.

The footpath and zebra crossing at the site have been closed off to pedestrians since the building collapsed and the road narrowed as a result of safety barriers in place.

Cllr Deirdre O’Brien raised the motion of an update on the site at the Fermoy MD meeting on Tuesday and impressed upon the council the need to “keep the pressure on”, and expediate the issue as a matter of urgency. ‘NOT A STRAIGHTFORWARD CASE’

Mitchelstown councillor, Kay Dawson seconded the motion, and pointed out the potential for further damage.

“That crossing has become dangerous. It’s single lane traffic at times. The other fear is that if we get rain or bad weather, the rest of that building will come down.”

The council responded that they were committed to undertaking the work, but that it was “not a straightforward case.” They assured the assembled members that they were engaging with the property owner, and awaiting a detailed schedule of works and timeframe. The council made the following response to the motion.

“Following a partial collapse of the front wall of this private building on 7th July, a section of the footpath remains closed and a two way system with a yield (give way) is in place for Northbound traffic on the R639.”

“Separately, the Council has sought professional advices in relation to how best to expedite matters in the interest of public safety.”