Wexford council says it 'can't just kick tenant's door down' as abandoned cars in estate continues to increase

Residents reported abandoned, damaged vehicles and scattered car parts in Cromwellsfort Grove for months. Councillor Tom Forde said council staff had already spoken to the owner, but additional vehicles continued to appear, increasing concern that someone may be operating openly. He called for the matter to be taken more seriously as the situation brought down the area and annoyed residents. Hugh Maguire, an environmental engineer with Wexford County Council, said wardens are involved and appropriate action will be taken, but enforcement must follow a process because it involves people’s possessions. He added that the council cannot simply kick the door down or drive people out without proper procedure.

"“But there's a process involved, you're talking about people's possessions, you can't just kick the door down and drive the people out.”"

"“I have been contacted by residents there about vehicles left in the estate for months on end,” said Cllr Forde at the May meeting of the Wexford Borough District. “The vehicles are badly damaged and there's car parts scattered around the estate.”"

"“There's five in total now, it doesn't look well, it's bringing the area down, the residents are getting annoyed,” he continued. “There's a sense that someone could be operating a business out in the open. We should be taking it more seriously..”"

"“Our wardens are involved in this and we will take the appropriate action,” said Mr Maguire. “But there's a process involved, you're talking about people's possessions, you can't just kick the door down and drive the people out.”"

Read at Irish Independent