A routine part of proceedings at Laois County Council descended into a shouting match this week as opposition councillors let fly.
Elected members and Council Staff were present for the September monthly meeting, where Disposal of Land was on the agenda.
Under Section 183 of the Local Government Act 2021, County Councils have a mandate to sell public lands into the private sector.
It is mostly used to complete the freehold transfer of a property on which the Council may have a lien but no ownership in a practical sense.
This usually involves the final transfer to freehold of a house which has been purchased by its tenants or residents from the Council.
This process is a regular part of the Council’s monthly meetings, but this week saw a backlash against one councillor who asked for more transparency in the process.
Independent Councillor Aisling Moran sought clarification on the Council’s process of evaluating lands and coming to a final cost price.
There was an immediate backlash from Fianna Fáil councillors, led by Cllr Paddy Bracken, who took umbrage at Cllr Moran’s probe.
Both sides of the argument let fly with a score of insults and accusations as proceeding descended into a shouting match (not the only time that would occur during the meeting).
Cllr Moran had asked that councillors be briefed on the formulas to calculate how much Laois County Council was charging for the lands it sold “in the interest of transparency.”
Cllr Bracken hit back, saying “you use the word ‘transparency’ as if there’s something hidden in this.”
The back and forth continued between the two councillors, with Fianna Fáil Councillors, Paschal McEvoy and John Joe Fennelly, as well as Fine Gael Councillor, John King all dismissing Cllr Moran’s protestations.
Council staff were adamant that all the proper channels are being followed and scrutinised.
The agreed Disposal of Land for September includes:
- 0.054 hectares at Killamuck, Abbeyleix to James Kiely, New Rochelle, New York, USA for €8,000;
- 0.101 hectares at Churchfield, Castletown (Site No 8) to Cavan Phelan and Susy Xiomara Beyer of Lower Sconce, Mountrath for €30,000;
- 0.11 hectares at Churchfield, Castletown (Site No 14) to Sebastian Beyer & Patrice Cullen of Lower Sconce, Mountrath for €30,000;
- 0.15 hectares at Esker, Timahoe to David Fleming, Greenshill, Kilkenny for €22,000;
- Sub-Lease of office space comprising of 64 square-metres at Church Street, Portlaoise to Laois TRIP (trading as Local Link Laois Offaly) for a period of four years and 11 months at a cost of €9,000 per annum;
- Sub-Lease of office space comprising of 77 square-metres at Church Street, Portlaoise to Laois Sports Partnership Ltd for a period of four years and 11 months at a cost of €11,000 per annum;
- A 0.0291-hectares freehold at The Elms, Main Street, Stradbally, to Thomas and Kathleen Donohue for €300;
- A 0.0552-hectares freehold at 16 Emmett Terrace, Mountmellick to James O’Neill, Sadie Coss, Marian O’ Meara and Elaine Marum for €300.
SEE ALSO – ‘Help children develop a passion for learning’: Wolfhill-based Trinity researcher
