New date set for oral hearing into derelict site in Tullamore

A new date for an oral hearing involving a derelict site in Tullamore has been rescheduled and will now take place on August 28 at 8am.

The hearing arranged by An Coimisiún Pleanála had been due to happen on May 20 but was postponed when the owner of the property Dermot Horan was unable to attend due to illness. It was rescheduled for June 18 when it was again deferred.

Offaly County Council is seeking to compulsory purchase the building which is located on Harbour Street. Owners Dermot and Teresa Horan were objecting.The purpose of May's oral hearing was to allow both sides to state their case.

At that hearing, Solicitor Robert Scanlon representing Mr Horan said he was not in a position to continue as Mr Horan wanted an opportunity to speak. He said not to terminate the meeting would be a denial of his client's rights and would be prejudicial to him

Chairing the meeting John Duffy said he was keen to hear from Mr Horan as it was important and agreed to reschedule the hearing.

The old residence on Harbour Street is one of 25 Offaly sites on the Derelict Sites register and is valued at €130,000.

According to the Coimisiún Pleanála website the only parties involved in this month's hearing are Offaly County Council (Applicant) and Offaly County Council (Planning Authority) (Active)

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Offaly County Council is also seeking to purchase a property on High Street, Tullamore. This too is before Coimisiún Pleanála and a decision is due on October 9 next.