Wexford council says it ‘can’t just kick tenant’s door down’ as abandoned cars in estate continues to increase
Wexford PeopleWexford County Council (WCC) has said it “can’t just kick the door down” if it suspects tenants in residential estates of illegal activity. Explaining that “there’s a process involved” in these instances, Hugh Maguire, environmental engineer with Wexford County Council (WCC), was responding to a query from Councillor Tom Forde regarding abandoned cars in Cromwellsfort Grove.
“I have been contacted by residents there about vehicles left in the estate for months on end,” said Cllr Forde at the May meeting of the Wexford Borough District. “The vehicles are badly damaged and there’s car parts scattered around the estate.”
While Cllr Forde was aware that staff from WCC had already spoken to the owner of the cars, he said that, in the interim, “three more vehicles have appeared”.
“There’s five in total now, it doesn’t look well, it’s bringing the area down, the residents are getting annoyed,” he continued. “There’s a sense that someone could be operating a business out in the open. We should be taking it more seriously..”
“Our wardens are involved in this and we will take the appropriate action,” said Mr Maguire. “But there’s a process involved, you’re talking about people’s possessions, you can’t just kick the door down and drive the people out.”
“I wasn’t suggesting we kick in the door or take anyone’s property,” replied Cllr Forde. “I understand people need to be given time to address the situation but it should be noted that, since the council visited this property, extra vehicles have now appeared in the estate.”