Mayor’s links to property deemed by Limerick Council to be ‘derelict site’
‘The mayor shares public frustration over derelict buildings,’ said a spokesperson for John Moran
A PROPERTY held through a pension plan by Mayor John Moran has been deemed to be a “derelict site” by the local authority, Limerick Live has learned.
A notice of intention to enter land as a derelict site has been erected by Limerick City and County Council on the city centre building.
The notice says the council is “of the opinion that the land situated at 32/33 Parnell Street, Limerick is a derelict site within the meaning of the Derelict Sites Act, 1990”.
Limerick Live was contacted by a member of the public about the notice who said, “Dereliction is the graffiti of the rich” and “wouldn’t we all like to have so many properties to leave one or two fall into ruin”.
A spokesperson for the mayor of Limerick, in response to a media query, said that Mr Moran is not the registered owner of 32/33 Parnell Street.
“The building sits within an independently managed pension fund. Under Revenue rules, the mayor cannot deal with it directly, and day-to-day management rests with the fund's managers,” said the spokesperson.
The pension fund has held the property, formerly leased as a Ladbrokes betting shop, since late 2022. Limerick Live asked how the premises had been allowed to fall into dereliction?
“This is a vacant commercial unit, a shop, rather than residential housing stock. Before the mayor's election, the pension managers had agreed to sell it to a third party. The mayor disclosed this in his ethics declarations, given his involvement in decisions on the nearby Colbert Quarter.
“When the sale fell through, the managers advanced plans to refurbish the shop. The building was cleaned and painted in September 2024, the permanent works have since been priced, and designs for a new façade were being finalised in recent months,” they replied.
The mayor’s spokesperson said the Council has issued a notice under Section 8(2) of the Derelict Sites Act 1990 of its intention to enter the building on the Derelict Sites Register.
“It opens engagement between officials and owners on their plans, to establish whether works are in train or pressure is needed. Council officials were unaware that works were already underway, and that engagement is now taking place. The mayor welcomes both the process and the refurbishment plans.”
Limerick Live has sourced Mayor Moran’s ethics declarations. Titled public register of declarable interests, under the heading of land ownership / interest for 2024, it states: “32 Parnell Street (held through a pension plan and agreed to be sold) | Under sale negotiations with vacant possession.”
The exact same entry is filed for 2025.
Under the mayor’s 2026 declaration, it reads: “32 Parnell Street (held through a pension plan and agreed to be sold) | Sale fell through, so the property will be renovated for rental.”
Limerick Live asked what does the mayor say about the message this sends during a housing crisis?
“The mayor shares public frustration over derelict buildings. Tackling vacancy and dereliction is a clear priority for him, reflected in the targeted allocation of the Mayoral Fund to projects such as the Tourist Office at Arthur’s Quay, the medieval Merchant’s House in Kilmallock, the Theatre Royal and the six new homes recently announced in Abbeyfeale.
“Restoring more buildings requires people willing to invest in them. This building is a shop unsuited to housing, and it is welcome that others are investing in empty Georgian buildings nearby for homes. Restoring Georgian Limerick takes time and funding, and those committing capital are part of the solution. The Mayor has invested in Limerick city and Georgian Limerick for years, as is well documented, and welcomes others doing so now,” said the spokesperson.
Limerick Live responded with a number of follow-up questions - What is the Mayor's exact involvement with the site / property? What is the Mayor's involvement with the pension fund? i.e is he an investor, shareholder?
And could they furnish this outlet with the name of the pension fund so we can contact them to give them the right of reply about letting a building under their control fall, in the Council’s opinion, into dereliction.
Limerick Live was referred back to the original response.
An advantage of an independently managed pension fund, according to the National Pension Helpline, is more control and flexibility over the movement of your money and the investments made with your pension funds. Another benefit is the investment is not subject to income tax or capital gains tax.
However, investments have to be “at arm’s length” - a holder cannot use the pension funds to purchase a property for their own use or in connection with their own business or family, according to a financial planning company. But the fund can purchase an investment property which can be rented (tax free) to an unrelated party.