Derelict property in Limerick estate acquired on compulsory basis

LIMERICK City and County Council has confirmed it has formally taken posession of a derelict property in the St Mary's Park area of the city.

The end-of-terrace two-storey house - at 19 St Ita's Street - has been acquired on a compulsory basis under the provisions of the Derelict Sites Act 1990.

This act gives the power to acquire a property without necessarily getting the consent of the current owner, and is often used in cases where the unit has fallen into a state of disrepair.

In a statement issued to Limerick Live, Limerick's local authority says it ran a joint operation with An Garda Síochána to take possession of and secure the property on Wednesday.

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The house was formally vested into the ownership of the council on Monday this week following the conclusion of the legal process. No objections were received during that process.

A council spokesperson said: "No issues arose during the operation (to take possession of the house) and gardai will continue to monitor the property."

A survey will now be carried out to determine how structurally sound it is. Following this, council will apply for Regeneration funding to refurbish both this property and the two adjacent homes, at numbers 15 and 17 St Ita's Street - both of which are in a derelict state.

Then, it's hoped they can be brought back as social or affordable housing.

The house which the council took possession of on Wednesday is located on lands totalling around 0.027 hectares.