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A Newry ratepayer has complained about the Council's "sheer incompetence and negligence in the operational management of Abbey Way Car park" in the city.
In a message to every councillor on Newry, Mourne and Down District Council Patrick Murdock said "I don’t think Council Management are taking the management of this Council Asset and public Car Park Seriously at all as it appears they have stopped managing this asset to create the impression this carpark is derelict and abandoned. This is not the case at all as the photos of cars using the facility prove it is not brownfield land and is an important well used parking asset in our City."
Newry, Mourne and Down District Council in reply to a query from Newry.ie claim the top deck of the busy car park situated behind Newry Cathedral has been closed to the public for several years. The Council own the facility and the car park site is the planned location for the proposed Newry Civic Centre which is undergoing a Judicial Review currently. Caravans have been parked on the top deck for over six months with families living on site.
Mr Murdock claims that motorists don't feel safe leaving their cars parked in the location and that vehicle height restrictors are regularly opened with locks cut off. He said he believed one lock he found on site that had been cut was a cheap lock and asked Councillors "why a £4.00 padlock from Andy Boyds or similar store was being used for security purposes when it is clearly not designed for this use." He added "The incident was reported to the Police and they were surprised about the quality of the lock used to secure the height restrictors. The comment made from the investigating officer was the lock on her locker where she keeps her lunch in the police station is of higher quality."
He added "I also note there was no CCTV in place or adequate lighting to film / record this incident when this Criminal damage occurred, or to record the illegal fly tipping of rubbish on the top deck of the car park."
Murdock has asked councillors to ensure that CCTV and lighting are installed in the car park "Where Councils are charging for a service, users have a reasonable expectation that the facility meets basic safety standards, and the Council may be held liable under the Occupiers' Liability Act if inadequate security or lighting leads to theft, vandalism, or personal injury."
A week after contacting councillors Murdock said that Council hadn't intervened on any of the matters and in a second email to councillors he added "I also since discovered that the waste mountain the council refuses to move, includes human waste, food and nappies etc. This makes this waste bio- hazard and puts the general public at risk, and I have informed the relevant authorities accordingly."
In reply to a Newry.ie query a Council spokesperson said deep cleansing of the upper deck was scheduled to commence yesterday.
The Spokesperson said "Newry, Mourne and Down District Council can confirm it is aware of the matter and an investigation is on-going.
"Whilst the upper deck of Abbey Way car park is closed to the public and has been for several years, the Council continues to manage the facility in line with its operational responsibilities and has taken steps to secure the area while longer-term arrangements are progressed.
"Deep cleansing of the upper deck is scheduled to commence today, Monday 8 December 2025 and any accumulated waste will be removed. Additional barriers have been installed at Abbey Way car park in an attempt to secure the site once the matter has been resolved.
"The Council’s management of this area remains ongoing. No further comment can be provided at this time.”
