Derelict Sites

The Derelict Sites Act 1990, requires that the owner and occupier of land ensure that the land or structures do not become or do not continue to be a derelict site.

The Act defines a “Derelict Site” as any land which detracts, or is likely to detract, to a material degree from the amenity, character or appearance of land in the neighbourhood of the land in question because of;

1. the existence on the land in question of structures which are in a ruinous, derelict or dangerous condition, or
2. the neglected, unsightly or objectionable condition of the land or structures, or
3. the presence, deposit or collection on the land in question of any litter, rubbish, debris or waste, except where the presence, deposit or collection of such litter, rubbish, debris or waste results from the exercise of a right conferred by statute or by common law. 

The Act imposes duties on the Local Authority to:

• Maintain a Derelict Sites Register.
• Make the Register available for public inspection.
• Serve a Notice on the owner/occupier specifying works to be carried out to prevent or stop dereliction.
• Acquire by agreement or compulsorily purchase any derelict site.
• Impose an annual levy on any derelict site in an urban area. 

Derelict Sites are identified in the following ways:

a)       Reports received from Members of the public, Elected Members or Members of the Oireachtas.

b)      Inspections carried out by Roscommon County Council staff.

Reports of dereliction are investigated and where necessary, the ownership is established and the owner is written to. A schedule of works is provided to the owner to prevent the site becoming derelict or stop dereliction. Roscommon County Council will impose an annual levy on any derelict site in an urban area until the urban land ceases to be derelict.

The Derelict Sites Register is available for inspection at the Council Offices during normal working hours and can be viewed here Derelict-Sites-Register-Q2-2025.pdf (size 161.7 KB) or  under related documents below.

The Derelict Sites Act, 1990 can be viewed here - https://www.irishstatutebook.ie/eli/1990/act/14/enacted/en/html 

Should you wish to report a Derelict Site,  please complete the complaint form via My Online Services here or contact +353 90 6637100

Dangerous Structures & Places    

The Local Government (Sanitary Services) Act, 1964 defines a “dangerous place” as an excavation, quarry, pit, well, reservoir, pond, stream, dam, bank, dump, shaft or land that, in the opinion of the sanitary authority in whose sanitary district it is situate, is or is likely to be dangerous to any person

The Act defines a “dangerous structure” as —

(a) any building, wall or other structure of any kind, or

(b) any part of, or anything attached to, a building, wall or other structure of any kind, that, in the opinion of the sanitary authority in whose sanitary district it is situate, is or is likely to be dangerous to any person or property.

The Sanitary Authority (Roscommon County Council) will investigate any alleged structure or place that has the potential to be dangerous any person or property. Roscommon County Council will establish ownership write to the owner specifying the works that require to be carried out in relation to the place to prevent it from being dangerous.

Do not enter or approach any structure or place that you feel is dangerous.

Should you wish to report a Dangerous Structure / Place,  please complete the complaint form below and return to housing@roscommoncoco.ie or contact +353 90 6637100