Beachfront ‘eyesore’ in need of attention

RESTAURANT Derelict property which overlooks Bettystown beach has been empty for years

A DERELICT beachfront property in Bettystown, which is covered in graffiti is attracting anti-social behaviour as well as ruining the look of the area, according to local Tidy Town volunteers.

The property, which overlooks the beach and also has an entrance from the road, was home to a number of restaurants in the past, but has now been empty for years.

"It overlooks the beach and anyone walking or visiting the beach just sees all the graffiti," says Liam Keane of Bettystown Tidy Towns.

"There is a business on one side and a family home next door, and they have what is just a waste ground beside them.

"It also attracts anti-social behaviour. Youngsters see that it is empty and go into it. Somebody could be injured there," he warned.

"We are trying to promote tourism in the area, and this building just looks horrendous covered in graffiti. It looks dreadful from the beach."

Mr Keane said the Tidy Towns Volunteers had put a new wooden fence on the road side of the property, painted the perimeter walls and cut the grass last summer.

"It is in full view of the beach. Meath County Council is spending €10 million on what is expected to be an iconic building but then just 100 metres from it, there will be this derelict graffiti covered building.

"The council needs to be more proactive about dereliction. It is not fair on the local community that this has been allowed go on so long. The council needs to get its act together," he said.

Cllr Elaine McGinty said “This beach front property in Bettystown is a perfect example of how our current derelict site and property legislation does not go far enough.

"The fines and threat of legal action are not encouraging wealthy property owners who refuse to maintain or bring properties up to standard to comply. Despite the availability of multiple grants and funding streams to help bring properties back to the market, Councils and Tidy Towns committees across the country are struggling with the issue of absent landlords and dereliction.”

“One of the main issues is establishing who legally owns a property. The council may be dealing with one person, a family, investors, non-resident, bank, receiver or vulture fund. They simply do not have the resources or expertise to peruse the large number of sites and properties that need to be urgently addressed.

“A solution could be found by tasking Revenue, who already collect the local property tax, to collect the fines. Not only can Revenue issue fines on derelict properties more effectively, but they also have the power and experience to seize property in the case of non-payment or non-compliance.”

“Across the country our town centres are being run down by absentee landlords, who have no pride or interest in the area. It’s now time that we changed our approach to one where you ‘use it or lose it’.”

A spokesperson for Meath County Council said the property was added onto the Derelict Sites Register for County Meath on the 4th October 2022.

The site is now subject to a levy of 7 per cent the value of the site annually.

The owners of the property were approached for comment.