LOCAL authority officials are working to secure a deal on the redevelopment of a derelict Co Louth apartment building constructed by rogue builder Tom McFeely.
Green Party councillor Mark Dearey has been told by a senior official at Louth County Council that talks are underway to secure the future of the Ard Dealgan apartments in Dundalk.
Dungiven-born developer McFeely’s company Coalport Ltd built the Quay Street complex, which contained 73 completed units.
However, almost 30 tenants were forced to vacate their apartments in 2009 after Louth County Council served a closure notice over safety concerns.
Residents have complained that the building has since become a squat for homeless people and is also being used by drug addicts and criminals.
It is believed that the debt linked to Ard Dealgan was acquired by the Pepper Group financial services firm, which has offices in Ireland, Spain, the UK, South Korea and Australia.
The Irish News reported last month that the council’s director of services, Frank Pentony, had admitted to councillors that officials’ efforts to contact McFeely about the building had failed.
McFeely has ignored a ‘derelict site’ notice was issued on the property by the local authority in November.
However, Mr Dearey has now been told that officials are communicating with “all interested parties” amid hopes to acquire and redevelop the property to help tackle the county’s 4,600-strong housing list.
The councillor said he hoped that rather than being demolished the building could be restored to make it safe and habitable.
