The first and second phases of the €1.5 million Tooraree housing scheme was officially launched by Cathaoirleach of Mayo County Council Joe Mellett on Tuesday afternoon.
Initially 12 dilapidated houses in the area were demolished and have now been replaced by 10 modern three and four bedroom houses which were constructed over a two period phase. A third phase will also be developed over the next couple of years.
Councillor Joe Mellett commended the pressurising of the council by local councillors John Cribbin and Michael Carty who he said had raised the issue of the run down estate at meetings time and time again, and now a first class housing scheme stands in its place. The Cathaoirleach thanked senior executive officer Padraig Flanagan who oversaw the project; the council; architects; builders; residents; and the local housing office in Claremorris and wished the local residents a “long and happy life” filled with “peace and harmony”.
Chair of the council’s housing SPC, Cllr John Cribbin, said that the estate which used to be an embarrassing point for the town is now one of the “best housing schemes in the country” and said that even though the estate may have had a “colourful past” they a very “bright future” lay ahead.
Parish priest Fr Cooney and a member of the local Muslim community both blessed the site.
