Councillor calls for investigation into building halt at Raphoe estate

Independent councillor Frank McBrearty Jnr has called for an investigation into the reasons why work on a partially-built 11-house extension to a Social Housing Development at Meadow Hill, Raphoe, has stopped.

He was referring to the news this week that work on the scheme has been halted following the firm appointed by the council to construct the development going into administration.

Cllr McBrearty Jnr said he has requested an immediate meeting of the Lifford-Stranorlar Municipal District to discuss the matter.

“This is another scandal in Donegal County Council coming to a head. I want officials to explain how this happened. This is a council job, not a private or turnkey development. The funding for it has come through the Department of Housing.”

He added he has been in contact with the council and the cathaoirleach of the Lifford-Stranorlar MD, Cllr Patrick McGowan about the matter.

“The cathaoirleach, Cllr McGowan is in Australia at the moment and responded to me by text telling me he had passed the matter on to the appropriate officials in the council.

Cllr McBrearty Jnr said the residents deserved better and considering there were two unfinished estates in Raphoe already Mongorry Close and Cathedral Hill, he was concerned that these might remain incomplete for some time.

“I did a lot of work on the Cathedral Hill project. The council still has not taken these two estates over fully which means we are now left with a third unfinished estate in Raphoe, a small rural town with a busy commercial hub that can boast two large secondary schools and two large primary schools.”

He added the new houses being built at Meadow Hill were only around 50% complete.

“I would describe it as a war zone in Ukraine. A lot of people in Meadow Hill have bought their houses and now they are faced with this.

“I am now calling for a public inquiry into Donegal County Council and the Department of Housing on the way they work,” he said.

The council's response to Cllr McBrearty Jnr said it tendered and procured Active Management Solutions Ltd. (AMS) to construct 11 social houses at Meadow Hill, Raphoe.

“In recent years, Active Management Solutions Ltd. (AMS) completed housing schemes in Killybegs and Buncrana. Construction is at an advanced stage on the Raphoe Project.

“On Tuesday 6th December 2022, the Council received notification from the Director of Active Management Solutions Ltd. (AMS) that the company is entering administration. The Council has contacted the appointed Administrator in relation to the Meadow Hill housing project in Raphoe and will work with the Administrator and the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage to progress the delivery of these social houses. Members will be kept updated on this matter."