Lack of lights on unfinished housing estates causing fear

People should feel safe in our towns, but those living on Bundoran’s unfinished housing estates do not because there are no street lights. 

That is according to Cllr Michael McMahon (SF) who voiced his concerns at the December meeting of the Municipal District (MD) of Donegal.

The councillor put down the following motion: “That this Municipal District discuss unfinished housing estates in the Municipal District of Donegal, in particular in the Bundoran Area, where a number of estates are awaiting to be ‘taken in charge’ by the Council.”

Cllr McMahon said there were quite a few such housing estates in Bundoran, with some people living in a small number of finished houses.

The councillor pointed out that while there were a number of issues, lighting was a particularly urgent concern.

“Quite a number of them have no lights,” he said. “Most of them have the poles. 

“Housing estates should be lit up at all times. A lot of people are coming in and we don’t know who they are, with respect, and people need to be sure that they are in a safe environment in our town at all times.”

Cllr McMahon asked if the taking over of estates could be done on a phased basis.

“Could we start with the lighting systems because that is the most important thing?” he said.

“I know there is no easy solution because if there was an easy solution we would have the problem fixed long ago. 

“People bought into those estates in good faith. I would like to find out what we can do, get  them fixed completely or do a phased basis starting off with the lighting.”

The motion was seconded by Cllr Noel Jordan (SF), who expressed concern about issues with sewers on the estates, and the fear and isolation faced by some residents.

“Those people buying houses on the estates did so on the understanding that it was going to be complete and there would be many people living there,” he said. 

“To endure what they have to endure is not on. 

“The sewers are a big problem. Irish Water is holding up a lot of this.”

Cllr Jordan put forward another suggestion that would also help alleviate the housing shortage. 

“Maybe the Department of Housing if they could go in and buy up some of those houses,” he said. 

“We know a lot of those developers are long gone. It may be a case of dealing with the banks.”