Tidy properties or face jail and fines, council warns owners

HOUSEHOLDERS have been warned that they could face up to two years in jail, and fines of over €30,000, unless they paint and tidy up their properties.

Even failure to fix a loose slate, or remove a wall bracket for hanging flowers could land a homeowner behind bars, according to official warnings sent to householders in Co Meath.

The notices, issued under the 1990 Derelict Sites Act, are part of a 'blitz' by Meath County Council against what it sees as eyesores damaging its attempt to improve towns and villages throughout the county.

The town most affected is Trim, three times winner of the National Tidy Towns competition. The local council has sent out notices to dozens of householders and has caused consternation in the town.

The notices were described as "frightening" by local solicitor Peter Higgins, who is also a town councillor. He received one in respect of his own home, a beautiful 600-year-old listed building, which is regarded locally as a national monument.

According to Mr Higgins, about 100 notices were sent out, but a spokeswoman for Trim Town Council said that the actual number was 56. "A substantial number of people have complied," she said. "Those who don't will be entered into the Derelict Sites Register, and may be subject to an urban levy."

Among the demands made by the council are the painting of gable walls, plastering a brick chimney, and fixing loose slates. They have even insisted that one owner remove wall brackets for hanging baskets.

Aidan Murphy, whose hanging basket brackets offended the council, was furious when he was told about the notice.

"In fact, they sent it to the wrong address," Mr Murphy said. "They sent it to a shop next door to my house, assuming the shop owner was also the owner of the house."

When he rang the council, he was told another notice would be sent to him, directing him to repaint his house, remove the brackets, and paint over a dashed gable end wall.

"I was also told that if I did not comply, they would get someone to paint my property and charge me for it. They can't be serious."

Mr Murphy is adamant that he will not paint the gable end wall, or remove the brackets.

Another angry householder, who lives with his elderly mother, said he was fuming when he got the notice. "It makes my blood boil," he said. "It is absolutely nonsensical that I should be threatened with jail for not painting the gable ends of my house."

The notice stipulates that failure to comply with the order could result in a fine of €31,743.45 and two years in prison.

The homeowner, who did not wish to be named, said his house was listed in a Dúchas Heritage publication as being of local importance and the walls had never been painted.

"It is the most insane thing I have ever received in the post. I am even supposed to paint my wall in harmony with my neighbour's house. Yet his house is not painted either.

"It is ludicrousDerelict site notices should not have been issued to private, occupied homes," he said.