Bulldozer pulls down Downpatrick centre

Bulldozer pulls down Downpatrick centre

11 September 2013

A FORMER community centre in Downpatrick which was repeatedly targeted by arsonists has been razed to the ground.

Bulldozers have moved in to demolish Down Council’s former Killough Road community centre at the Flying Horse estate. It’s hoped that once the site has been cleared it will pave the way for the construction of a number of new social homes.

The empty building has been targeted on several occasions over the past few months and one local politician who was campaigning for its demolition has welcomed the arrival of the bulldozers.

Councillor Liam Johnston described the property, which was set ablaze numerous times, as a “temptation” to some young people and is delighted it’s being demolished.

He said the former St. John’s House residential care home and the nearby Pound Lane health clinic in Downpatrick were both targeted by arsonists before they were eventually bulldozed.

He said the Killough Road building was one of several empty properties in the town, including Down Council’s former headquarters at the Strangford Road — which is also scheduled to be bulldozed — and the former Downe Hospital.

Councillor Johnston is urging the owners of all empty buildings to ensure they are secure and, if possible, bulldoze them to prevent them from becoming targets for arsonists and magnets for young people intent on engaging in anti-social behaviour.

He said empty buildings represent a hazard, warning the consequences of a child becoming trapped in a building deliberately set alight are too horrific to contemplate.

The Downpatrick councillor said while empty and derelict buildings are an attraction to young people, he warned they are also dangerous places which they should stay well away from.

He added: “Arson attacks pose an unnecessary strain on the Fire and Rescue Service. They pose a risk to firefighters and members of the public. Empty and derelict properties which are no longer in use should be bulldozed.”