Councillors seek clarity over Mayo house with ‘stench of weed’ so strong it leaves residents feeling sick
A house in Westport was the subject of debate at a council meeting after locals reported a "stench of weed" so strong it could "make your eyes water."
Councillors asked for clarification that none of the tenants had been placed in the house by the council.
The issue was raised at the November meeting of the Westport and Belmullet Municipal District by Cllr Peter Flynn, who had received a message from a concerned resident about the strong smell of cannabis coming from the property.
The house in question was first raised with councillors back in March, when it was reportedly being used to accommodate people who could not be housed by the council.
Following pressure from local councillors, Mayo County Council confirmed that none of their tenants would be placed in the house moving forward. It is currently privately owned.
Cllr Flynn read out the message he received to the meeting: "Dear Peter, I am concerned about something that is blatantly going on in Westport. Have you walked by the house lately?
"The smell of weed that is emanating from it would make your eyes water. The blinds are always down, but the windows are usually opened a crack. I walked past it again today, and I’m not joking the stench of weed was so strong that I felt sick," he continued.
Cllr Flynn asked for confirmation that none of the occupants were council tenants, and stated that it was owned by a private landlord.
"We have no control over any privately owned house. If there is drug taking or drug selling going on in houses, if there are people coming out of jail with offences – that is not the role of the council, it is to do with the private owner," he said, "I condemn any landlord allowing such behaviour to go on in their premises."
Following the message, Cllr Flynn and his colleagues contacted local Gardaí over the weekend, who confirmed that five people were now living in the property.
Cllr Flynn, who serves as Cathaoirleach of the municipal district, added that several Westport and Belmullet councillors had met with the landlord a few months ago in response to previous complaints.
"I want to ensure we have no hand act or part in this dwelling, or to this landlord. It has had to come to the council's attention previously in terms of planning and fire regulation and illegal developments," he said.
Seamus Ó Mongáin, Head of the Westport and Belmullet Municipal District, confirmed that the district had not accommodated anyone in the house since it was last discussed several months ago.
Director of Housing Tom Gilligan also wrote to Cllr Flynn last month to confirm that the council had no tenants in the property.
Cllr Flynn welcomed the update and added that any comments or complaints should be directed to the landlord, as the behaviour was not something the council would support.
"This is a private house, with private tenants in it, and they can continue to get stoned out of their heads if they want to in that building. It is not something that the council will support," he said.
This article has been funded by the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme.