Dismay and anger at demolition of 260-year-old Louth building – ‘I have tears in my eyes looking at it’

Dom Gradwell of the Drogheda Dereliction Action Group

A stern warning from the Drogheda dereliction taskforce that enough is enough.

The planned demolition of a 260-year-old building in Drogheda’s main street has sent waves of shock and anger through the town, with a further call for action at a national and local level.

The words shame and disgrace have been used by multiple local organisations in describing this situation, which has long been predicted, but it was hoped would never be let happen.

Others have pointed out that it is a miracle someone wasn’t killed by falling masonry, or by the building collapsing from decay.

“It’s an absolute shame, and I have tears in my eyes looking at it, it’s crazy that it has gotten to the stage,” says Dom, who appeared on RTE’s Nationwide with the problem. “The worst part is it was allowed to get to this point; that didn’t happen overnight, or over two years or five years or 10 years; it’s happened for a very, very long time on this street.”

Ann McVeigh, who has documented 100 town centre derelict buildings in the town centre is hoping this drastic action will spur change.

“To sacrifice that building really is awful, but finding the hope out of it, it could be a catalyst for action,” she says, emotion cracking her voice. “This is the first building and there could be more, and I really hope that Louth County Council completely throw the book at the owner, and make them accountable and pay through the nose for every bit of destruction that’s going to happen here.”

Meanwhile, the looming demolition of the former Brady’s Drapery store building would not be happening if Drogheda had its own city administration, the Drogheda City Status Group has said.

“This unforgiveable situation is a symptom of the rot and neglect of Drogheda caused by years of inaction and indifference by property owners and Louth County Council to the plight of our city,” according to Drogheda City Status Group (DCSG) Chairperson Anna McKenna. “The neglect, indecision and apathy has to stop; nothing short of a declaration that Drogheda is a city and the establishment of a city administration, with its own city manager and directly elected representatives, will rectify the appalling situation that has been allowed to develop over a long number of years.”

The lecture Dom Gradwell of Derelict Drogheda was scheduled to hold at Governor House in Millmount Fort on Wednesday 12th June at 8pm, has been postponed and moved to Wednesday June 19th at the same time..

He will speak about Drogheda’s heritage buildings and what’ is causing the demise of our historic buildings.

The Old Drogheda Society is hosting the event, admission is free and all are welcome, but come early to guarantee your seat.