Councillor "horrified" by ongoing decline of Mayo's town centres

"How long more do we all sit idly by watching our towns and villages die while young people are forced to seek alternative locations to live? The revolution must be getting closer."

Mayo County Councillor Peter Flynn made the remarks on his Facebook page after being 'horrified' by the level of dereliction and vacancy he observed during a walk around Castlebar town centre.

The Westport-based representative observed: "Not surprisingly some of the most significant buildings are council owned.

"We have similar issues in Westport with the council leading the way with some former great buildings now in terminal decline and houses that cost significant money adding to their stockpile.

"I have sought information on the number of CPO's that the council have completed since 2014 when town councils were abolished.

"I am confident that I will uncover that no CPO has been completed in our four biggest towns - Castlebar, Ballina, Westport and Claremorris - from 2014-2022.

"This is very disappointing when compare to what is happening in similar counties like Clare, Limerick and Waterford.

"We are in the middle of a housing crisis with the centres of our towns and villages right across Mayo in decline.

"Government schemes like "Croí Cónaithe and "Repair & Lease" are making a small difference.

"But until our council start doing the job it is supposed to do, then our towns will continue to decline.

"How long more do we all sit idly by watching our towns and villages die while young people are forced to seek alternative locations to live? The revolution must be getting closer."

He is expected to raise the matter at the September meeting of Mayo County Council.