TAOISEACH ENDA KENNY has said that everybody has sympathy for the families who have been forced to leave their homes at Priory Hall in Dublin.
Speaking in the Dáil today, Kenny said that it was “absolutely outrageous” that the apartment block on Donaghmede was allowed to be built in the first place. Four months ago private residents were ordered to evacuate the complex over concerns that it did not meet necessary fire safety standards.
They have since being housed in temporary accommodation with a number court cases surrounding the financial status of the developer responsible for the apartments, Thomas McFeely, and the cost of housing the residents currently pending.
“There is a court case pending here, there are also Supreme Court proceedings due shortly which is going to adjudicate on a number of issues,” he told the Dáil today during Leaders’ Questions. He said he did not want to “pre-empt” matters before the courts.
These matters include Dublin City Council’s appeal to the Supreme Court to have this responsibility for housing the residents transferred elsewhere. It has so far cost them over €700,000.
In what was one of his first public statements on the much-publicised plight of the over 250 Priory Hall residents, Kenny said: “I think it’s absolutely outrageous that this kind of edifice was allowed to be constructed.”
Fianna Fáil leader Micheál Martin criticised the government’s response saying that “sympathy and outrage are no longer good enough”. He called for “creative thinking” solve the issue which he described as an “exceptional situation”.
The Taoiseach told the Dáil that Housing Minister Jan O’Sullivan had already met with the residents and said that Dublin City Council were in “constant contact” with residents.
Last night, residents claimed that the ESB were to disconnect power from parts of the complex over safety concerns. Despite O’Sullivan meeting with residents, senior minister Phil Hogan has repeatedly said it would be “inappropriate” for him to meet with them.
McFeely has been declared bankrupt in England and an application pursuing bankruptcy against him in Ireland has been adjourned.
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