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Action demanded on eyesore building

Tuesday, 29 April 2008

ONGOING anti-social behaviour problems in the vicinity of a historic train station building on the Northside have hampered any efforts to have it refurbished.
Iarnród Eireann is requesting that Fingal County Council take the old signalman’s house at Howth Junction DART station, Kilbarrack Road, off its list of protected structures due to the fact it is a magnet for anti-social behaviour.
The call comes after action was demanded on the dilapidated building, which was deemed a protected structure just over two years ago.
Donaghmede ward councillor Killian Forde (SF) has called on Iarnród Eireann to take responsibility for the building and refurbish it for community use.
Speaking to Northside People, Cllr Forde said he was annoyed that nothing has been done to prevent the building, which is now covered in graffiti, from falling apart.
"The old stationmaster's house at Howth Junction/Donaghmede station has fallen into rack and ruin,” Cllr Forde declared.
“This is a historic building, built by the old Great Northern Railway Company.
“It is one of the few old buildings in the area and it should be enhancing the locality instead of presenting an eyesore and a safety hazard.”
Cllr Forde has been in touch with both Iarnród Eireann and Fingal County Council in relation to the building.
He claimed Iarnród Eireann wanted to demolish the building but that this would not be possible due to the fact that it is now a protected structure.
“This places an obligation on Iarnród Éireann to take responsibility and to refurbish the house,” Cllr Forde stated.
"I am calling on Iarnród Éireann refurbish this building for appropriate community use.”
A spokeswoman for Fingal County Council confirmed that the building has been listed as a protected structure.
She said it was added to the council’s list on February 13, 2006.
A spokeswoman for Iarnród Eireann said it was committed to maintaining railway heritage.
She said much work has been done in Fingal county to maintain and renovate buildings of architectural and historical importance.
However, the spokeswoman said that due to the amount of anti-social behaviour at the old signalman’s house at Howth Junction station, refurbishment work has not been carried out.
“Iarnród Eireann is in the process of preparing an application to Fingal County Council to have the building de-listed,” she stated.
According to Iarnród Eireann’s spokeswoman, the gardai have also called for the building to be taken off the list of protected structures.

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