Site owners refute claims they've 'walked away'
The former meat factory in Bagenalstown
THE OWNERS of the site of the former meat factory in Bagenalstown have utterly refuted suggestions that there is asbestos on the site or that they have “walked away” from their responsibilities.
At a recent meeting of Carlow County Council, cllr Andy Gladney claimed the former factory contains “30 tonnes of asbestos” and is swarming with rats. The Sinn Féin councillor slammed Carlow County Council for turning a blind eye to the problem and accused the owners of the site of simply “walking away” and leaving the prominent site on the outskirts of the town in a “deplorable state”.
“There is 30 tonnes of asbestos in it … it is in a deplorable condition. The owners are gone out of it a long time and absolutely nothing has been done about it,” he argued.
Cllr Gladney claimed the former meat factory was plagued by rats in the former slaughter areas within the factory, adding it was disgraceful that this was allowed to happen at a site so close to the town. He argued that such a site wouldn’t be allowed to go unresolved for so long if it was in Carlow town.
“And the owners just get to walk away? It’s an absolute disgrace,” said cllr Gladney, who added that he had informed council officials of the situation some time ago.
This week, was contacted by a spokesperson for Firtree Developments, owners of the 28-and-a-half acre site, who strongly disputed cllr Gladney's claims.
“We cannot develop that site until Irish Water complete their work on the new water treatment system for Bagenalstown. Cllr Gladney knows that, so I find it bizarre that he would shoot his mouth off in the way he has,” said the spokesperson.
“We cannot develop that site until we have the connection. Irish Water are working in Bagenalstown at the moment but when we will have a connection, we do not know,” he added. The spokesperson stated that they have been in discussions with Carlow County Council and it has been made clear to them that until planning permission is secured, no work can be carried out on the site.
“We did go about cleaning up the site but were told that until planning permission is given we cannot carry out work on the site,” said the spokesperson. He added that the company is fully committed to developing the site as a residential area when the connection to water treatment systems by Irish Water is complete and planning permission secured. At the council meeting, chief executive Coilín O’Reilly assured cllr Gladney that “no blind eye” was being turned by the council. “If action needs to be taken, we will take it,” the chief executive insisted, as he rejected "out of hand" any suggestion otherwise.
