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4th July 2017 • Volume 24, Issue 24 • Leader House, North Street, Swords, Co. Dublin. K67 P5W4. • Tel: 01 8•400•200 • info@northcountyleader.ie • www.northcountyleader.ie
Concerns Over Rush’s Derelict Buildings Local councillor, Tom O’Leary (FG) is up in arms about reports that a number of derelict buildings situated on Rush Main Street, may be in such poor condition as to constitute a danger to the general public. He told the County Leader, “It’s my understanding that a large financial institution owns the buildings in question and I am responding to a complaint from Rush Tourism committee, who are very concerned about the situation. The buildings are there for a long time and it’s now time for something to be done. Elderly people queuing at the bus stop and children
By Patrick Finnegan going to school are all at risk from debris falling from these buildings. I have made a formal complaint to the County Council who are going to send out the Inspectorate division to examine the buildings and I’m awaiting that report,” he said. “Further to that, it is my opinion that if there is no movement on these buildings,
I’m going to request that the Council put them on the Derelict Sites list. The main street of Rush is a beautiful place and the owner of this site has a duty of care to bring these buildings back to their original condition. I’m supporting the community of Rush on this. Enough is enough,” he concluded. While Ann McCrudden and Angela Byrne from Rush Tourism, were in agreement with Cllr O’Leary regarding the derelict buildings, they just received some positive news from the
owner of the buildings. Ann McCrudden said, “Further to our recent correspondences with the owner of one of the sites on Main Street, we are delighted to say that the owner has given us an undertaking that any dangerous hazards will be sorted and that the derelict buildings will be suitably hoarded and rendered safe for the summer. This is particularly important, given that our festival is taking place in August, with between 3,000 and 5,000 people expected every day in
Pictured at Newbridge House Donabate at the Flavours of Fingal festival last week are, Sarah O’Connor (Cool Foods), Bernice Moran (The Be Sweet Company), Trish Kelly (The Cupcake Store), Cllr. Kieran Dennison, Ed Hearne (Director of Economic, Enterprise and Tourism Development) and Mihaela and Sabina Bozocean (Sylvania Foods Company). See more pictures on page 4
the town,” she said. “The last thing we need is for tourists to the town to have to look at derelict buildings, so we’re satisfied that this particular site has been sorted. However, there are a number of smaller buildings along the main street that we hope to follow up with in the same vein. We have a huge amount of volunteers trying to make Rush look at its best and we are delighted that
Lusk Teacher Sets Off To Conquer The World
Rush and Lusk Educate Together NS school teacher Dermot Higgins is pictured with fellow cyclist Brendan Sands as he departs to cycle around the world
Rush and Lusk Educate Together NS was a buzz as crowds gathered to wish teacher Dermot Higgins farewell on his cycle around the world. Dermot is hoping to gain a place in the Guinness Book of World Records as the oldest person, at 55 to cycle around the world. Dermot told the County Leader, “ This is my last day of teaching after 35 years and my dream is finally coming true. I am so grateful to all who have supported me and to help raise funds for Trócaire. This has been my life’s ambition since I was a young boy and I’m
By Leslie Murphy so happy it’s come to fruition”. The crowds gathered outside the school including all of the pupils, parents and members of the cycle club and one pupil played the bagpipes while another accompanied her on a drum. The send of was full off enthusiasm and those gathered chanted ‘Go Go Dermo’, over and over. Best wishes to Dermot and we await his return and hope he succeeds in achieving the record as the oldest man to cycle around the world.
Cllr O’Leary is going to address this situation with the County Council. We believe that legislation is not as strong as the Council would like, in order to be able to push people into action. We all have a civic responsibility to ensure that our town looks at its best and this applies to the owners of derelict buildings, not only on the Main Street, but throughout Rush. We need Rush to be showcased at its very best,” she said. “We are very excited about the future prospects of Rush. It’s been somewhat dormant of late, but we very confident for the future, “ she said. Angela Byrne was equally outspoken about the derelict buildings and she said, “We had the very successful Plein Air festival here recently and the derelict buildings on Lower Main Street and on Channel Road let us down and we would hope that the Council will work with us and support us to ensure that these are
taken care of and upgraded, so they can enhance our town.” A team from the County Council visited Rush last Thursday to
from this urban renewal scheme.” “Quite a few of the local business owners and residents have been in communication with
Pictured on Main Street, Rush, with the derelict buildings in sight are Cllr Tom O'Leary and Rush Tourism Committee members, Ann McCrudden and Angela Byrne
do a walkabout, as we’re part of the vision of the County Council for urban renewal and we’re delighted that Rush has been selected as one of 10 villages in the entire country to be chosen to benefit
the Council, outlining their visions of where they see Rush going. Tacking the derelict building situation and the promise from the landowner will, hope fully be the first step on the road to renewal,” concluded McCrudden.