The Dolphin Hotel in Crossmolina town centre, is being used to accommodate homeless individuals and families and the development is causing concern locally, according to the Cathaoirleach of Ballina Municipal District, councillor Michael Loftus.
He raised his concerns at yesterday’s monthly meeting of Ballina Municipal District and called on council management to let the community know what’s happening at the venue. He said it’s understood that the function room in the hotel is at present being converted into bedrooms, but that has not been confirmed, as there is no planning application for such development on record.
He said council management says it does not have any contract in place “at present” to accommodate homeless people in the facility, however, there are in excess of 20 homeless individuals and families living there now.
The Cathaoirleach claims the government and the local authority have given a commitment that where there is only one hotel in a town that it would not be taken out of general use for temporary emergency accommodation – but that appears to be what is happening at present in Crossmolina.
He’s been speaking to Midwest News Editor Teresa O’Malley…
Midwest News contacted the Dolphin Hotel in Crossmolina today for clarity and spoke to the Hotel Manager James McArdle. He told Midwest News that the hotel will issue a statement shortly.
