Residents worried about hazardous derelict buildings in neglected North Tipp Village

LOCAL residents are very worried about a number of hazardous derelict buildings on the main street of long-neglected Ballingarry.
Councillors raised the problem during the April monthly meeting of Nenagh Municipal District and they pointed out that the situation is very dangerous.
"A number of buildings in Ballingarry village on the main street are in a particularly bad state," Cllr Ger Darcy told the meeting. "Some of the slates and masonry have been falling onto the footpath and street below. In a recent spell of bad weather the problem was especially bad.
"It's a completely unacceptable situation and is extremely dangerous whether you are a pedestrian or in a car driving by."
Cllr Darcy pointed out that a number of local residents have contacted him. "They are very worried about the situation. The derelict buildings in the village not only look bad but they are terrible from a health and safety point of view. This cannot be allowed to continue. We have to do something."
Cllr Michael O’Meara pointed out that Ballingarry has been badly neglected for many years. He said it's the only village on the N52 which hasn’t been given a traffic calming scheme. "The residents there have been very, very patient," he said.
Cllr Joe Hannigan said there’s a great community spirit in Ballingarry. "They are great people but they need our help now. There are four buildings from the former Garda barracks up to the shop which are vacant, there is no one living in them, and they are derelict. They look really bad. If they are allowed to deteriorate further they may well go beyond the point of no return. I am urging the Council to please talk to the owner of those houses. They look terrible and are creating a poor impression. The residents look after their village and are proud of it. It is very unfair on them to allow these buildings create this unfavourable impression, this eyesore. Ballingarry is a lovely village and it's a pity this one section of the village isn't up to the same standard as the rest of the village."
Cllr Darcy pointed out that some years ago a lot of work was done on the picnic area on the Birr side of the village, "but it needs a little bit of work once again." He asked the Council executive to please look into upgrading the picnic area.
This is the second time in the last few months that the Councillors have raised the issue of the village's neglect. In their meeting last December they called on the Council executive to upgrade the public lights and provide new lights in the parts of the village where none exist. Rosemary Joyce, Executive Officer, told that December meeting that all the lights throughout the county are being upgraded to LED lights and the Ballingarry lights will be upgraded as well, as part of this general operation. She said that new LED lights will be installed from the Glue Pot pub in the centre of the village to the speed sign on the southern side of the village.
Cllr Ger Darcy told the December meeting that the village badly needs a traffic calming scheme as well.
“The lights can't wait," Cllr Darcy added. "I'd be worried the LED scheme might take quite a while to roll out. This is a matter of urgency. There are a number of gaps where there are no lights at all. I was there recently with local residents. They showed me the need for lights going up to Knockshegowna GAA. The traffic on the N52 going through the village is horrendous. It's especially dangerous when it's dark. New lights and traffic calming measures have to happen now. We can't wait for the rollout of LED lights across the county. The TII seems to be washing their hands of this. The time has come to take the gloves off. Something serious could happen. I can't emphasise enough how dangerous it is to walk in Ballingarry, because the footpaths are poor and the lights are non-existent, and the traffic is horrendous.”