Council Advances Dún na Bó Estate Takeover

Leitrim County Council have made progress in addressing the lighting situation at Dún na Bó estate in Ballinamore, and have revealed the estate could be officially taken in charge in the first quarter of 2025. This information was provided by the Planning department in response to Cllr Ita Reynolds-Flynn at the Ballinamore Municipal District meeting on Monday, July 22. Cllr Reynolds-Flynn had requested an update on the estate's lighting, and inquired about the timeline for it being taken in charge.

The Council has taken the streetlights in Dún na Bó in charge and has incorporated them into the Council's street lighting account. This ensures the Council handles payment of electricity bills for the estates lighting, ensuring reliable illumination in Dún na Bó. The estate had around 15 lights, with just six working.

The Planning department also revealed the next steps of Dún na Bó being taken in charge. The Council is currently preparing tender documents for Dún na Bó, along with several other estates to advertise Invitations for Tenders from Civil Contractors. These documents will be used to invite civil contractors to submit bids for the necessary work to bring the estates up to the standards required for the Council to take them in charge.

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The property is located near Kinlough Town

This tendering process, along with the appointment of a contractor is expected to take several months. The Council anticipates that the public consultation phase, required as part of the adoption process, will commence towards the end of this year. Providing all these steps go according to plan, the estate could be officially taken in charge in the first quarter of 2025.

"The lighting has been an issue for the residents. It's being taken over now and that's part of the taken in charge," Cllr Reynolds-Flynn said.

"There's an outstanding electricity bill I queried because the residents were concerned about it, for approximately €180. They have been paying for the electricity for the past eight to 10 years. The lighting being taken in charge will be a great benefit, that they don't have to pay the bill."

"The taken in charge will be in early 2025. I'm happy with the plan but I'd like to see it taken in charge a little bit sooner. Once it's taken in charge I'm happy for the residents for that to go ahead.

Cllr Reynolds-Flynn hopes for additional maintenance in Dún na Bó to further benefit residents once the estate is officially taken in charge: "The roads are currently not in great condition and it's a danger to the residents."

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Cllr Guckian's proposal faced opposition from newly appointed Chief Executive, Joseph Gilhooly and other Councillors

"The Council are working hard to make sure that it will be taken in charge," Cllr Reynolds-Flynn concluded.