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Residents told to pay €4 million or face being evicted over poor fire-proofing

Requests were made for the Taoiseach to get involved.

Updated at 11:10pm

RESIDENTS OF A modern apartment block in Dublin’s docklands have been told to pay €4 million or face eviction.

The Longboat Quay apartments, built on Sir John Rogerson’s Quay by developer Bernard McNamara, have major deficiencies with their fire safety standards. Residents were told at a meeting last night that it would take around €18,000 each to fix the problems in the 299 apartments.

The problems echo those experienced at Priory Hall in North Dublin, which is costing Dublin City €27 million to refurbish.

In an interview on Newstalk’s Pat Kenny Show this morning, Richard Eardley, a resident and director of the Longboat Quay Management Company, said each unit may need to make a contribution of €10,000 to €18,000 if funding for the works is not forthcoming from either the building’s receiver or the Dublin Docklands Authority.

Resident Paula Daly told Today with Sean O’Rourke on RTÉ One that residents knew about a potential problem 24 months ago.

“Apparently, going back to 2011, Dublin Fire Brigade gave the OK that everything was OK, but they came back two years ago and told us there was a problem.

Last night we got hit with the amount they’re looking for everyone to pay. I’m in a three-bedroom duplex and they want €18,000. Myself and my husband have two children and we both work, but I don’t know where we’re going to get this money.

Paula said that residents were told that fire alarms were put into every room in the apartments two years ago, but now Dublin Fire Brigade says that work is required inside the homes.

Fire marshals were also put in place, providing 24-hour cover.

She said that evacuation is not being proposed and residents will be allowed live inside their homes while the work is ongoing.

“We’re hopeful we can stay in the apartments, but the work could take up to nine months.”

Call for intervention

Speaking in the Dáil today, Mary Lou McDonald TD called on the Taoiseach to personally intervene in the case. She requested that he ensure that Bernard McNamara “and those responsible are held accountable”.

PastedImage-47796 Mary Lou McDonald brought up the problem in the Dáil today. Oireachtas.ie Oireachtas.ie

“They don’t meet fire safety standards, they weren’t built property and yet the developer, the builders, architects and the planning authority will not be penalised,” the Sinn Féin deputy said.

“It’s the owners who have been asked to foot the bill. Bernard McNamara meanwhile, having run up debts of €2 billion during the boom, is now I understand debt free and back in the property business.”

Taoiseach Enda Kenny said that the problems in Longboat Quay are not the first such to be discovered saying they are a legacy from the “over enthusiasm” during the Celtic Tiger.

“Nobody policed the quality of the building that went into these houses,” Kenny said before refusing to personally get involved.

“I’d like to find out more about it with the city council, and Minister for Environment, I can’t give a judgement at this stage,” he said, adding that there may be more cases like this out there.

McDonald then urged the Taoiseach to phone the developer himself.

“I think that you should raise the telephone to Bernard McNamara and the others responsible and the authorities and ask them to make good on that €4 million.”

Kenny refused to do so.

“I haven’t spoken to Mr McNamara in a number of years, I don’t know if you’ve made attempts to speak to him yourself. I need to know more about whether there was a home bonded insurance scheme in this case or any other insurance scheme,” he said.

First published at 12:05pm. With reporting from Rónán Duffy. 

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    Aug 21st 2013, 10:25 PM

    Why are Michaella and Melissa wearing each others clothes?

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    Aug 21st 2013, 11:37 PM

    Probably either that or prison-garb.. looks pretty grim for the two of them

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    Aug 22nd 2013, 12:26 AM

    They clearly still have their heads in the clouds and don’t realise the gravity of the situation. I’d understand if they were changing into clean clothes, but it seems as if they just don’t want time be seen in the same outfit twice. Silly, silly, silly girls!!!

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    Aug 22nd 2013, 4:30 AM

    Such a silly comment Nicola. Because of the clothes they wear they have their heads stuck in the clouds and don’t realise the gravity of the situation?? I for one would hazard a guess they have a fair idea of the mess they are in.

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    Aug 22nd 2013, 9:13 AM

    These girls passed through at least three airports on the way to Peru but said nothing to anyone.

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    Aug 21st 2013, 11:25 PM

    There holiday is well over now

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    Aug 21st 2013, 10:28 PM

    Got sick of wearing their own clothes for the past two weeks?

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    Aug 22nd 2013, 2:43 AM

    Keep in mind folk all this bullshite is in the main story in media night, noon and day to keep you distracted from things that affect YOUR life. Water meters, bank charges, data transference act, Serco buying out all traffic lights and wanting to privatize more roads for tolls etc etc.

    The illusion of the media is to make you look exactly where you are suppose to look, exactly like a magician.

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    Aug 22nd 2013, 12:41 AM

    Does the bun have its own twitter account like Dáithí Ó Sé’s “beard”?

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    Aug 21st 2013, 10:50 PM

    Audrey Hepburn just called – she’s looking her bun hairstyle back

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    Aug 22nd 2013, 8:34 AM

    Is there anything to be said for another mass?

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