Cahirciveen eyesore owner apologises to residents

THE owner of a controversial, eyesore building in Caherciveen, Co Kerry, yesterday apologised to local residents and pledged to have it refurbished within 30 days.

Private detective Billy Flynn, who with his wife Eileen have owned the disused Beentee Guesthouse since 1997, also claimed they were victims of vandalism.

“I’ve reported the vandalism to the gardaí and it’s worse than anything I’ve seen even in Dublin in 30 years,” he said.

Spokesperson for Caherciveen Community Council Geraldine Kennedy earlier called on Mr Flynn to either restore, or demolish, the building.

“The building has become the scene of anti-social behaviour - drugs, sex and drinking. The roof is falling in and it has also become dangerous,’ she said.

“It’s in a dreadful state and is certainly not helping our tidy town’s efforts.”

Mr Flynn, who lives in Co Meath said he had the building almost sold some years ago, but the sale did not go through because it had been vandalised.

“The property has been very seriously vandalised with partitions kicked in and other damage caused by people high on drugs. Thirteen windows were broken. Glasses were also broken and a cash register thrown around by someone in a rage. We’re the victims of vandalism here,” he said.

“We had it sold to someone who would have put up a nice development in its place for the benefit of Caherciveen, but felt obliged to tell that person about the vandalism.”

He called on Caherciveen gardaí to expedite prosecutions against people who had broken into and damaged the building.

Mr Flynn also said he and his wife planned to construct a residence for themselves on the site and to retire to Caherciveen.

Meanwhile, a group of Caherciveen residents has organised a petition calling for the restoration, or demolition, of the building.