County Manager to visit derelict sites in Muirhevnamor

County Manager Philomena Poole

Louth County Manager Philomena Poole has agreed to visit parts of Muirhevnamor in the coming weeks to see for herself the problems being faced by people living next to derelict homes.

Earlier this month Dundalk Town Council said they would investigate the possibility of acquiring a number of the derelict homes in the estate with a view to demolishing them.

They would then look to voluntary housing bodies to develop the sites for new homes.

The issue came to light after being raised by Sinn Féin councillor Kevin Meenan, who said one street was so bad that it looked like a tornado had gone through it.

Commenting on Ms Poole’s decision to visit the sites herself, he said he was “happy” she would be going to “see it for herself and get a feel for it.”

New Louth County Manager needed following Poole’s departure

Departing County Manager Philomena Poole

Louth is set to have a third County Manager in the space of just two years following the announcement that Philomena Poole is set to depart the county after less than a year here.

Ms Poole is leaving her role after being named the new County Manager of Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council.

She took over the role in Louth last July following Conn Murray’s departure the previous year.

Unfortunately for her, most people’s memories of Ms Poole’s time in Louth will be for her decision to launch an investigation into the conduct of staff members in the local authority regarding the purchase of their own homes by the council for social housing uses. While the incidents took place before her time here, it dominated her tenure with councillors still anxious to hear the outcome of the investigations.

Prior to arriving in Louth, Ms Poole had previously filled the role of acting County Manager in South Dublin County Council, having been Deputy County Manager before that.

Sharkey could look for investigation into Murray’s appointments in Louth

Conn Murray

Former Louth County Manager Conn Murray has come under plenty of fire in recent months for various appointments he has made in his new position in Limerick but an investigation into his appointments here could also be on the horizon.

The appointment of his best man Dr Pat Daly to a senior managerial role in Limerick City Council without an interview was heavily criticised before Christmas. Prior to that Mr Murray had previously been accused of cronyism over his appointment of Patricia Ryan to the position of CEO of the Limerick City of Culture 2014 body.

Ms Ryan’s resignation yesterday has dominated much of today’s headlines but one local councillor could be set to call for an investigation into Mr Murray’s past appointments in Louth.

Commenting on his Twitter feed last night, Sinn Féin’s Cllr Tomás Sharkey said: “Limerick City Manager was once County Manager in Louth. We probably need to check records for cronyism during that time.”

If Cllr Sharkey or Sinn Féin are to pursue the matter it is likely to be at the monthly meeting of the council later this month.

Mr Murray served as County Manager in Louth for five years prior to his departure in the summer of 2012. Last year he was replaced by Philomena Poole.

Cllr Sharkey’s Tweet suggesting he may seek an investigation into appointments made by Conn Murray during his five year tenure as Louth County Manager

Previously: Former Louth County Manager under fire after appointing his best man to a plum post in Limerick