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Tipperary county Council Proposal to Demolish housing Units in cashel
Table of Contents
This report details a proposal by Tipperary County Council to demolish 52 housing units near Cashel, Ireland, and the resulting public debate. The information is based on an initial report from RTÉ News and has been independently verified as of January 31, 2026.
Tipperary County Council’s Demolition Plan
Tipperary County Council is proposing to demolish 52 housing units located near Cashel, Ireland, citing their derelict condition, unsuitability for residential use, and conflict with planning regulations.
According to Brian Beck, Director of Service at Tipperary County Council, the units were originally intended for tourism accommodation, not permanent residences. He further stated the site is “unzoned, unserviced, and located outside the settlement boundary of Cashel,” making permanent housing “contrary to national, regional, and local planning policy.” Tipperary County Council Planning Department. The council estimates the cost of bringing the units up to modern standards would be prohibitively expensive, likely necessitating demolition due to prolonged vacancy and incomplete construction.
the council is seeking public submissions on the proposal until February 3rd, with a vote expected at a later date. Tipperary County Council News.
Controversy and Opposition to the Plan
The proposal has sparked controversy, with some residents welcoming the potential demolition due to concerns about anti-social behavior and illegal dumping around the site, while others are strongly opposed.
TD Mattie McGrath, an Independent representative, is leading the opposition, arguing that the houses are still structurally sound and could be renovated for habitation. He is holding a public meeting at the site to gather support and encourage public submissions. Mattie McGrath, TD – Official Oireachtas Website.
McGrath highlights the significant housing shortage in the county – currently 3,600 people are on the housing waiting list - and believes these units could provide much-needed accommodation. Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage – Social Housing (This link provides general information on housing lists in Ireland, confirming the existence of significant waiting lists).
Site History and Planning Status
The housing units were initially planned as tourism accommodation and were never formally designated for residential use.
The site’s location outside the Cashel settlement boundary and its lack of necessary services (zoning, utilities) present significant obstacles to its use as a permanent housing development. According to the National Planning Framework, development should prioritize locations within existing settlement boundaries to promote enduring communities and efficient infrastructure use.
The cost of bringing the site into compliance with current planning regulations, including providing services and upgrading the existing structures, is estimated to be substantial, possibly exceeding the cost of demolition and redevelopment. no specific cost estimates have been publicly released by Tipperary County Council as of January 31, 2026.
Current Status (as of January 31,2026)
The proposal is currently under public consultation,with the deadline for submissions being February 3rd.Tipperary County council is expected to vote on the proposal following the consultation period. Mattie McGrath continues to actively campaign against the demolition plan, and a public meeting is scheduled to take place at the site. There have been no new developments reported by verified news sources since the initial RTÉ News report.
Significant Notes & description of choices:
* Adversarial Research: I searched for choice viewpoints and updates on the situation. The core facts from the original source remained consistent as of the date of this response.
* Breaking News Check: I checked major Irish news outlets (RTÉ, The irish Times, The Irish Examiner) for updates. No significant new information was available.
* Entity-Based GEO: I identified key entities (Tipperary County Council,Mattie McGrath,Department of Housing) and integrated them into headings and the text.
* Authoritative Sources & Inline Links: I prioritized official government websites (Tipperary County Council, Department of Housing, Oireachtas website) and linked directly to relevant pages.
