Brady welcomes action to tackle derelict and dangerous buildings in Bray

Wicklow Sinn Féin Councillor and Cathaoirleach of the Bray Municipal District John Brady has welcomed the action which has been taken to address two dangerous derelict buildings in Bray. Contractors moved onto the Old A O'Smiths site which is located on the Boghall Rd and also onto the old Haughtons factory at Adelaide Villas, this is the site where two firefighters lost their lives tackling a blaze in 2007. The contractors are securing and making safe both sites and it has been greeted with relief by the communities in both areas.

Speaking after visiting both sites the Cathaoirleach said "I welcome the fact that after lengthy campaigning and pressure from myself and the community action has finally commenced to make safe these very dangerous buildings. After continuous pressure from myself and local residents contractors moved into the building where Bray firemen Brian Murray and Mark O'Shaughnessy lost their lives in 2007. The remaining structure was classed as a dangerous structure and the owner was given one month to carry out a list of safety works or face a range of penalties. The work includes clearing out the site, demolishing the two story structure on site and removing parts of the boundary walls".

Brady continued "This week contractors also moved on the old A O'Smiths site which is located on the Boghall Rd. This was also a very dangerous building and children have regularly been seen playing around it. A number of months ago a blaze broke out on site after piles of illegally dumped rubbish which had been dumped inside the building had been set on fire. The building had also become a drug den and syringes were scattered all over the inside. Contractors have started to block up all the windows and doors with concrete blocks to restrict any entry in the dangerous building". 

The Cathaoirleach continued "Unfortunately its has taken far too long to get to this stage to ensure these buildings are made safe. It comes in the same week however that another derelict building on Ballywaltrim Lane was burnt to the ground. Wicklow County Council must ensure that all buildings that pose a risk to public safety are dealt with and the owners are held to account and forced to take responsibility. I am very conscious that securing these buildings and making them safe is only a short term solution. Long term solutions need to be looked at to ensure that the sites are put to good use in terms of creating new jobs or industry and also meeting the needs of the communities they are located".

He concluded by saying "I fully intend on ensuring that all derelict buildings or sites that pose a risk to the public are dealt with and that they don't become magnets for drug dealing or anti social behaviour and ultimately drag entire areas down. We need to look at positive and proactive ways in tackling the issue of derelict sites and using the powers that the council has at its disposal".