Mayo Council "Disappointed" As Fire Ravages Building Earmarked For Social Housing

Tuesday, 22 July 2025 15:16

By Martin Osborne

The premises that went on fire, located opposite the bus station, had been earmarked by Mayo County Council for a major social housing development.

Gardaí are investigating the cause of a fire at a building in Mayo last night, which had been earmarked for social housing.

The blaze, which broke out shortly after 9pm, caused extensive damage to the derelict property in Ballina.

Gardaí say they are awaiting a report from an engineer to ensure that the burnt structure is stable and of no danger to passersby.

There is no timeframe, as yet, for that report.

The premises that went on fire, located opposite the bus station, had been earmarked by Mayo County Council for a major social housing development.

Emergency services were quickly on the scene yesterday evening after passersby noticed smoke and raised the alarm.

The blaze was brought under control and no one was injured.

In a statement today, Mayo County Council has expressed its profound disappointment following the fire.

They say they purchased the property for the purpose of providing much needed additional housing in the town and the council can categorically state that this property was only ever intended to provide housing for persons on the Mayo County Council Social Housing list.

The development of the scheme would have provided 31 new homes to families and persons on the housing list.

At present, there are 631 on the housing list in the Ballina Municipal District.