Questions raised over limited number of sites on Derelict Register in Leitrim

Leitrim County Council is meeting difficulties in adding derelict sites to the Derelict Sites Register due to not knowing who the owner of some sites is.

This was heard at a meeting of the Carrick-on-Shannon Municipal District, where Cllr Maeve Reynolds asked that the Council provide an updated list of all properties currently on the Derelict Sites Register within the Carrick-on-Shannon MD, outline any additions made in the past 12 months, and indicate whether there are plans to assess and add further properties to the register in the coming year.

Cllr Reynolds stressed the distinction between vacant and derelict properties, noting that while Leitrim has the highest vacancy rate of 7.9 percent, she was focusing on derelict sites, which is any land that is in such bad condition that it takes away from the character of the town and local amenities.

There are 24 sites on the Derelict Sites Register. Of the 24 within Carrick MD, 10 are in Carrick-on-Shannon, one in Rooskey, one in Dromod, one in Drumsna and one in Jamestown.

Cllr Reynolds commented that millions was spent in Mohill on public realm works, but none of the derelict sites in the town have been addressed or added to the register.

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“There are only 10 buildings on the derelict sites registered in Carrick MD. One was added in 2025, three others were considered but not added and none of those were in Mohill,” said Cllr Reynolds. “I’m disappointed that amount of money could be spent and then not consider buildings within the town that detract from it; buildings that are the absolute definition of derelict,” she added.

“They look unpleasant and take away from the character and amenities and they weren’t even considered. It’s something we need to focus on.”

The reply to Cllr Reynolds’ motion also acknowledged that the remaining property they proposed to enter into the Derelict Sites Register last year is the former Shannon Key West Hotel in Rooskey, and a receiver has been appointed to the property.

Cllr Sean McGowan welcomed this news, saying that the hotel is “a long time there lying,” and the people of Rooskey would certainly like to hear that news.

While there are more than 24 derelict sites in Leitrim, it was explained that the Derelict Sites Register concentrates on urban areas. Derelict sites within urban areas that haven’t been added to the register are often complicated by not knowing who owns the site.

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“The big problem with a lot of potentially derelict buildings is that the vast majority are not recorded on the land registry. You have to go after the owner,” explained Martin Donnelly, Planning Department. “Historically there was no requirement for owner to register. We can’t go after what we don’t know,” he added.

Cllr Reynolds noted that the issue of derelict sites in Mohill was mentioned at a November meeting in 2024 and had not been addressed, asking if they can be considered again.

She was told that the Council is awaiting new legislation for guidance and that, under existing legislation, they need to know the properties with ownership details, and only then can they be addressed.

There are also plans to undertake further consideration and assessment this year to add to the number of properties proposed to be included in the register but with other competing demands, this is likely to be in the second half of the year.