Letterkenny families are not facing ‘immediate eviction’

by Louise Doyle

RESIDENTS of a Letterkenny housing estate who were issued with letters of eviction, some due to take effect in two weeks, will not be evicted from their homes “in the immediate future”.

In November, families of Letterkenny , Ballymacool, were told they had until April 12 to vacate their homes as their houses were being put up for sale.

The move came as Phil Boyle of the London-based company Twin Estates sought planning permission from Donegal County Council to develop a further 52 houses in Ballymacool.

He wrote to the affected residents saying that the decision ‘was not one made lightly’. But speaking to the Donegal News yesterday, Mr Boyle said: “No families will be evicted on April 12, under any circumstances.”

It’s envisaged eight of the homes in question will be purchased by Donegal County Council, and four by the Housing Agency. But this process cannot finalise until all appropriate tests have been carried out on the properties.

Mr Boyle said he has become “frustrated” with the lack of clarity being provided by the County Council and the Housing Agency on what exact tests he must have carried out on the properties, prior to them being purchased.

“There are 12 families affected here. I have today written to Donegal’s TDs outlining where the situation is at, at the moment and to also ask them to help him retrieve answers from Donegal County Council and the Housing Agency.

“I want clarity, as it has not been specified to me what tests are needed. I have demanded of the County Council and the Housing Agency for two months now to please specify to me what tests are required.

“I want to get answers from Donegal County Council. This is a year of election, and housing has very much been on the agenda. We are talking about 12 social houses. What are they doing about housing?

“Residents were given notice of eviction, and these will expire on April 12 and some at the end of May but I want to get across to the families that they are not being kicked out until every single avenue of this process has been explored,” said Mr Boyle.

At the latest Housing and Corporate Services Strategic Policy Committee (SPC) meeting, Letterkenny based Councillor, Jimmy Kavanagh said that while the council were “committed” to the purchase of a number of properties in Ballymacool, they had to follow a “due diligence” approach, by necessity.

Eamonn Brown, Senior Executive Officer, said he would seek the advice of the area manager.

“I am aware that the deadline is quite tight in terms of our own due diligence and following acquisition policy.

“That is going to be challenging to meet that, but we are committed to acquiring the properties but it is a case that we must go through the various stages and carry out the due diligence.”

Ballymacool Residents’ Association Chairman, Cathal McGlynn has called for the matter to be expedited.

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