Tragic Mallow case 'proves local authorities need more powers to tackle dereliction'
![Tragic Mallow case 'proves local authorities need more powers to tackle dereliction' Tragic Mallow case 'proves local authorities need more powers to tackle dereliction'](/cms_media/module_img/7645/3822898_30_articlesmall_LC_20mallow_2005.jpg)
The boarded-up property at 9, Beecher St in Mallow, Co Cork where Tim O’Sullivan's remains lay undiscovered for 22 years. Picture: Larry Cummins
The man who first raised official concerns about a derelict house in which the remains of a man lay undiscovered for 22 years says the tragic cases proves that local authorities need more legal powers and financial firepower to tackle dereliction.
Cork county councillor John Paul O’Shea welcomed the comments of coroner for North Cork, Michael Kennedy, who said he plans to bring to the attention of the relevant government minister the issues raised by last week’s inquest into the tragic death of Tim O’Sullivan, 61, at 9 Beecher St, Mallow, Co Cork, in January 2001, but whose remains weren’t found until last January — 22 years later.
Mr O’Shea also said he awaits with interest the outcome of a Department of Housing and Local Government working group which has been reviewing the derelict sites laws and processes since 2021. It is due to report soon.
He said while there have been some improvements to the derelict sites and compulsory purchase order (CPO) system in recent years, including some increased funding and a new process which allows local authorities to apply for a CPO directly to An Bord Pleanála, local authorities need more legal powers and much more funding to tackle the issue faster.
![Cork County Council staff members John O'Dell and Paul O'Donoughue arriving at the Coroner's Court last week. They had made the grim discovery of Tim O’Sullivan's remains at the house in Mallow, Co Cork. Picture: Denis Boyle Cork County Council staff members John O'Dell and Paul O'Donoughue arriving at the Coroner's Court last week. They had made the grim discovery of Tim O’Sullivan's remains at the house in Mallow, Co Cork. Picture: Denis Boyle](https://www.irishexaminer.com/cms_media/module_img/7645/3822925_27_articleinline_dbmal14.jpg)
Cork County Council said ownership could not be established and that by January 21, 2015, it had boarded up all the windows and the letter box.
![A bouquet of flowers at 9, Beecher St, Mallow, Co Cork on Sunday January 15, 2023, a few days after human remains were found in the house. It was later determined through dental records that the remains were those of Tim O'Sullivan. Picture: Larry Cummins A bouquet of flowers at 9, Beecher St, Mallow, Co Cork on Sunday January 15, 2023, a few days after human remains were found in the house. It was later determined through dental records that the remains were those of Tim O'Sullivan. Picture: Larry Cummins](https://www.irishexaminer.com/cms_media/module_img/7645/3822961_24_articleinline_LC_20mallow_2004.jpg)
Tim O’Sullivan is born in Caherciveen, Co Kerry, the first of Michael and Molly O’Sullivan’s five children. The family emigrate to the UK a short time after his birth. He visits relatives in Kerry regularly as a child but spends most of his adult life in the UK. His siblings were all born in the UK — Noreen, who now lives in Australia, a brother, Pat, who lives in Monaghan, Denis, who is deceased, and Maureen, who lives in Caherciveen.
He marries a Barbara Johnston, from London.
Tim’s mother dies and he and his wife move back to Ireland a short time later. The marriage breaks down and Ms Johnston moves back to England.
Tim's sister Maureen says she wrote to Tim regularly at 9 Beecher St, and that he replied. She says the letter writing stopped about two or three years after the death of their mother. She says she presumed he had gone back to England.
Mr O’Sullivan begins claiming job seeker’s allowance.
Mr O’Sullivan writes in his diary: “Going to Tesco today, first time.” A receipt for that shopping trip is found in the house by gardaí 22 years later.
His job seeker’s allowance claim is terminated following the non-collection of three successive claims
Some time between January 9 and January 23, Mr O’Sullivan dies alone lying in bed in the house. He was 61. It will be another 22 years before his remains are discovered.
Noreen says she and her husband always got a Christmas card in Australia from Tim but never got one in 2002.
Noreen and her husband arrive in Ireland to visit relatives. They knock on the door of 9 Beecher St and get no answer. They say it looks like nobody had been living there for a while. They check with locals and talk to gardaí and are told everyone believes Tim has returned to the UK. No-one else calls to the house to check. He is not reported missing.
Cork county councillor, John Paul O’Shea, emails council officials about a broken window at 9 Beecher St, which has been apparently abandoned for some time, and asks if ownership of the property can be established. Officials say it isn’t registered and ownership can’t be established. At that time, they needed to identify an owner to serve notice in relation to derelict site proceedings.
The council says the windows and letter box of the house have been boarded up. A council official says the workers sent to do the work didn’t have reason or authority to enter private property.
Complaints about vermin and rodents continue over the coming years and plans to clear the rear of the property are abandoned because of lack of access.
The council embarks on the derelict sites process. It continues title registration searches and attaches an appeal notice to the property seeking anyone with an interest in the property to come forward. No-one does. It attaches a statutory notice to the front door — the first steps towards a compulsory purchase order and the property is formally entered on the county's derelict sites register before the end of the year.
Council workers are sent to change the locks to allow pest control in. They make the grim discovery of human remains in the bed.
The ownership and future of the property, which is still registered as derelict, is unclear.