Cork protestors call for ‘prompt action’ on inner-city dereliction

Up to 40 people attended a protest in Cork city centre on Thursday evening, calling on Cork City Council to take “prompt action” against inner-city dereliction.

The protest came following a motion brought to Cork City Council by Solidarity — People Before Profit councillor for the Cork City North West ward, Brian McCarthy, on Monday.

Mr McCarthy stated in his motion that the council should “convert the upper floors of 62 to 65 North Main Street into apartments to be added to the city council’s social housing stock”.

The buildings, which were declared derelict in 2015, and suffered a partial collapse in 2019, were acquired by the council via a compulsory purchase order (CPO) in 2022.

“The bottom floors should be converted into a useful purpose for the community,” said Mr McCarthy.

“They were compulsorily purchased by Cork City Council in 2022 but since then nothing has been done beyond stabilisation work.

The protest, which took place outside the buildings on North Main St, saw a number of speakers deliver an address to the group, including Mr McCarthy; a representative from CATU (Community Action Tenants Union); and a representative from Derelict Ireland.

Demands

Speaking to The Echo following the protest, Mr McCarthy said it is “inexcusable” that these buildings have been left derelict.

“This was a rally against dereliction where we called for those buildings on North Main St to be converted into social housing.

“We have an epidemic of dereliction at the moment, and the housing crisis is getting worse,” he added.

“We have three demands — we’re calling for the levies for vacant and derelict buildings to be increased, and they have to be collected in full by local authorities, so it actually works as a deterrent. 

"We’re calling for vacant and derelict buildings that are being hoarded for profit to be taken into public ownership and converted into social housing; and we are calling for some of the €14m Apple tax money to be used to set up a state construction company to rapidly build public homes on public land to bring vacant and derelict homes back into use.”

Mr McCarthy said the issue will be further raised at the upcoming cross-party ‘Raise the Roof’ protest, which will take place on June 21 from 2pm at the National Monument on Grand Parade.

Assessments

A spokesperson for Cork City Council said that the local authority is “progressing viability assessments” of the buildings for redevelopment.

“Cork City Council is progressing viability assessments of several options to strategically redevelop properties known as 62-65 North Main Street inclusive, enabling the preparation of a conceptual design for consideration and approval by the executive,” the spokesperson said.

“On the conclusion of the viability assessment process it is envisaged a formal development proposal will be advanced for planning permission and ultimately commencement of redevelopment.”