Turning drugs dens into new homes a good deal for all...

Council social housing plan praised

- DAVID RALEIGH

SUSPECTED drug dens in Limerick are being acquired by council chiefs to be refurbished into social and affordable homes.

The council is acquiring the properties by compulsory purchase order and using legislation aimed at reducing the number vacant properties.

A number of other properties that were suspected to have been used to store drugs have either being demolished or acquired by the council.

Responding to questions, Limerick City and County Council said it had acquired a number of properties “through the Derelict Site’s Act, 1990”.

The council added it had formally taken possession of a property “with the help of An Garda Siochana”.

“No issues arose during the operation and gardai will continue to monitor the property,” it said.

“Subject to a condition survey, to determine the structural soundness of the property, it is our intention to apply for regeneration funding to refurbish that property.”