'Fourteen rats caught' beside Laois derelict dumping site
A rat infestation and repeated illegal fires are causing fear for neighbours of a derelict site in a Laois town.
A Laois councillor has alerted Laois County Council to a concerning situation in Mountrath.
Cllr James Kelly described a litany of problems at the site of a vacant cottage on Shannon Road, where Laois County Council previously took legal action over the parking of caravans.
The derelict site on Shannon Road, Mountrath. Image: Google Maps
He claims that there is "unlawful burning of waste, illegal dumping, anti social behaviour and alleged animal cruelty on this site".
"Fires are being lit burning rubbish and the fire brigade is being called out. There is too much red tape. We have to try to get these sites sorted out. We seem to be tied up in Compulsory Purchase Orders. Now we have to try and get a derelict site where you have no engagement or care from the owner.
"Residents are getting it and are driven to despair. One resident caught 14 rats in traps and that's onlye the ones he caught. It's a health and safety issue," Cllr Kelly said to senior management at the meeting.
Cllr Kelly later supplied a photograph of burning rubbish on the site to the Leinster Express / Laois Live, explaining the situation further.
"This is the site that Laois County Council Enviromental section are fully aware of the above activity being carried out since 2018. It follows an illegal encampment of caravans in January 2020 that the council served an enforcement notice on.
"Property owners have a legal obligation to keep their residence/premises rodent free and if rodents pose a threat to health or property they should report it to the local authority.
"I am aware that the council have been in negotiations with the land owner who resides outside the county with a view to purchasing the site but all has been to no avail.
"This situation has been going on too long and despite threats of CPO’s and derelict site status there has been a lack of engagement from the owners.
"Given the scale of the housing crisis and the plan of the government to bring empty properties back into use it beggars belief that the ongoing issues on this site have not been addressed in a timely fashion," Cllr Kelly said.
"I understand that it's private property, but can we get expediency? How can it be allowed to go on for six years," he said.
In response to his statement at the meeting, Director of Services Simon Walton said that it involved environmental waste management, public health and anti-social issues, and he would speak to Cllr Kelly privately.