Confusion over Mayo Peace Park ownership is cleared up

Mayo Peace Park is confirmed to be in Mayo County Council ownership after a week of confusion and 'passing the buck' over tackling subsiding monuments.

Clarification came during a Castlebar Municipal District meeting that the facility is under ownership of the local authority despite previous reports that it was not.

Assertions made by Councillor Martin McLoughlin on local radio that the council did not own the park confused the matter but a spokesperson for Mayo County Council confirmed the council own the land therefore “any structures built on the land are owned by the council.”

The park's structural integrity is under threat with visitors warned to stay away due to safety concerns.

The park, built on a portion of land acquired through private and council sources, has historically received funding from grants and the General Municipal Allocation (GMA).

Councillor Donna Sheridan queried a proposal of an engineering-focused inquiry to ascertain responsibility for the subsidence and a look into insurance to cover the costs.

Councillor Blackie Gavin expresses optimism about progress with the appointment of a structural engineer.

But he expressed dismay at the issue having occurred in the first place, stating: “It’s like the pyrite issue where private contractors don’t have to foot the bill but the tax payers do."

A report on the matter will be published in the new year once an engineer has been appointed by the local authority.