Taxpayers may be hit with €100k bill for making safe derelict North Cork hotel

The boarded-up former Central Hotel, Mallow, after it was damaged by fire on March 21 last. The building is now in the hands of a new owner.
Picture: Dan Linehan

Taxpayers could be hit with a six-figure bill due to an anomaly in the law which prevents local authorities from recouping money for making derelict sites safe if they are in the ownership of financial institutions.

This has emerged after it was confirmed Cork County Council was unable to recover approximately €100,000 it spent on making an arson-damaged former hotel safe.