Councillors recommend former library building be sold

CASTLEBAR councillors have recommended that the former county library building in the town be sold.

Members visited the site at Mountain View and issued their recommendation at their monthly municipal district meeting yesterday.

That recommendation will now go before a full meeting of Mayo County Council for formal approval to sell.

There was one dissenting voice to the sale - Councillor Michael Kilcoyne.

The property was put up for sale a number of months ago and the council propose to sell it to Mr. Ward McEllin, Meenavale, Mountain View, Castlebar, for a sum of €260,000, subject to contract.

A decision to sell was deferred earlier this month to allow councillors an opportunity to view the site.

From his visits, Councillor Al McDonnell said the site is very small, with a significant drop at the rear, a wayleave exists for an ESB box, and there would be a cost of €50,000 to remove asbestos that would have to be shipped to Germany.

He had no hesitation in recommending it be sold.

Having looked at all possible options, Councillor Martin McLoughlin said he too was satisfied that selling was the correct option, and invest the money back into projects.

Councillors Ger Deere, Blackie Gavin, Cyril Burke and Donna Sheridan agreed with the recommendation.

The point was made by Councillor Gavin that the site drop was too dangerous to consider housing for the elderly or where there were young children.

Councillor Kilcoyne commented that they were prepared to sell it with no conditions attached to the sale, like a clause that it be developed within a certain timeframe.

“Talk to the people who have to sleep in cars and doorways around the town,” he said, stating that he will oppose it when it comes before the full council.