Wexford council to cut back foliage at abandoned 19th century property amid wildfire fears

By Simon Bourke, Wexford People

Wexford County Council (WCC) has said it will cut back some of the foliage at the abandoned Kerlogue House to prevent wildfires spreading into the adjoining housing estates.

Earlier this month it was revealed by The Wexford People that the property, built in the 19th century, had become inhabited by homeless individuals who had set up camp in its grounds and were lighting fires close to residential areas.

And, at the July meeting of the Wexford Borough, a senior official confirmed he had visited the property, which has lain idle since 2008, to assess what could be done to make it safer.

“There’s a significant amount of work required to secure that property,” said district engineer Lar Lett. “We need to cut back the foliage to create a fire break (should a fire happen), and that’s being costed at the moment.”

The rear of Kerlogue Manor in Wexford. © Jim Campbell

Although empty for 18 years, Kerlogue House is a privately-owned building and, with that in mind, Councillor Tom Forde asked whether the costs of any works could be passed onto the owner.

“There are mechanisms available to pass the cost onto the owners.,” replied Mr Lett.

However, Cllr Biddy Walsh argued that no works should be carried out until the owner of Kerlogue House had agreed to pay for them.

“Nothing should be done there unless the owner is going to pay for it,” she said. “We don’t want a situation arising where the owner is having work done for them and allowing it to go into dereliction on purpose.”

Earlier in the meeting, Cllr Forde raised concerns regarding the welfare of those residing at Kerlogue House and asked whether the council was providing them with the necessary care.

“It’s important every effort is made to get them into whatever services are available,” he said. “My fear is we’re going to see more people gathering out there, it will end up like a community. Last weekend there were two fire engines out there, and the guards..”

While he welcomed efforts to secure the property, Cllr Forde said “questions would be asked” if something serious happens at Kerlogue House whether it be a fire or otherwise.

Housing officer Edel Nolan said that, as a private property, the responsibility would lie with the owner were any serious incidents to occur at Kerlogue House. She also confirmed that WCC’s Homeless Services Unit (HSU) was in contact with those living at and around the property.

Mayor Vicky Barron had some sympathy for those left with nowhere else to go, but said the council couldn’t force them to avail of assistance.

“They are adults, the services are there, but you can’t make people engage with them,” she said. “They are trespassing on that property.”

A caravan outside Kerlogue Manor in Wexford. Photo: Jim Campbell. © Jim Campbell

Meanwhile, Cllr Walsh had cause to ask how two caravans had been driven into the estate given that the gates leading into it are padlocked.

“As a council we need to put pressure on the people who own Kerlogue House, it should never have been allowed to get to the state it’s in,” she said. “How did people get in there? It’s locked up. I’d be asking questions in relation to that.”