Anger in Tipperary over 'beautiful buildings being left to rot in our towns and villages'

A Tipperary councillor has hit out over the "beautiful buildings being left to rot in our towns and villages".

READ NEXT: I DO...AGAIN! First look as Tipperary couple renew vows for 20th wedding anniversary!

Cllr Annemarie Ryan has spoken out about the issue of derelict and vacant buildings in towns and villages, describing it as "very sad" to see once-beautiful properties being left to rot.

READ NEXT: BIG READ: Sharlene Mawdsley on renting, boyfriend Michael Breen and life after athletics

She said the Government needs to “stop fussing around the edges” and instead work with local councils to stamp out what she called "the scourge of dereliction and vacancy".

Cllr Ryan called for councils to be properly resourced so they can establish teams focused solely on dereliction and vacancy, and on working with property owners to bring buildings back into use.

READ NEXT: LIVE: Fourteen arrested in Tipperary over investigation into serious public order incidents

She also urged Tipperary County Council to be stronger in enforcing the limited legislation that exists against property owners who allow buildings to deteriorate.

The councillor confirmed she has reported one such building (pictured above) to the local authority, saying works are needed to make it safe, but added that it "really needs to be brought into use".

READ NEXT: IN PICTURES: Massive jobs boost for Clonmel town centre as vacant building reopens

She said there are enough empty buildings in Ireland to solve the homeless crisis.