Unoccupied council building in Mayo county town can't be left vacant

THE now unoccupied Marsh House in Castlebar cannot become 'another Imperial' and left to waste, council management has been told.

The former town council headquarters had most recently been home to pupils from Castlebar Educate Together National School but the premises is now vacant.

Cathaoirleach of the Castlebar Municipal District, Councillor Ger Deere wants to see the building in use, and he raised it with management at the monthly meeting of Mayo County Council.

“I don't want to see another Imperial or a building going to waste,” he told the chief executive, saying they were crying out for a meeting room for the municipal district.

Just that day they had an important contract signing in the Castlebar Municipal District but they had to wait outside to use the room, which wasn't good enough.

Marsh House had been the HQ of the town council over the years and he wanted to see it used, not lying idle.

“We are crying out for buildings and particularly for a Castlebar MD meeting room, where they can bring people and come in to a meeting in comfort,” he commented.

“I don't want to see such an important building lying rotting,” he said.

The plans years ago had been to use the former Imperial Hotel. That was gone now, he said, but let's not lose another one.

A full report on the up-to-date situation with Marsh House was requested by Councillor Blackie Gavin who said there are plenty of community groups looking for premises to lease.

The building couldn't be left vacant as it will get damp and it needs to be dealt with as a matter of urgency. If not they could end up with another derelict building, he warned.

* Funded under the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme