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THE LONG-RUNNING dispute that has seen residents of up to 300 apartments living in properties that don’t meet fire-safety standards has moved closer to a resolution.
The residents of the Longboat Quay apartment complex in Dublin’s docklands have been involved in a dispute for over a year having been initially told that they would have to pay to fix repairs or face eviction.
Dublin Fire Brigade deemed fire separation between apartments to be inadequate but residents have remained in their properties as the dispute continued.
The complex was built by property developer Bernard McNamara.
A proposal has now been tabled that would see the Dublin City Council commit to €1.85 million in funding for the repairs and the receiver committing an additional €1.25 million.
It’s understood the receiver’s share of the cost will covered by the National Assets Management Agency.
The total of €3.1 million is above the €2.5 million estimate placed on the repair works. It is expected than any surplus would be put towards roof repairs.
A previous estimate had put the cost of repairs at €4.75 million but that figure was challenged and has since been revised downwards.
Residents of the apartment block have arranged a meeting for tonight where they will vote on the proposed deal.
A statement from the group representing the residents has said they are pleased that a settlement has been proposed.
“Representatives of the Longboat Quay Management Company are pleased to announce that a proposed settlement has been reached toward remedying fire safety and roof repair works at Longboat Quay,” the statement said.
From the outset our priority has always been to achieve a comprehensive and fair solution to this distressing situation that we have found ourselves in. We believe we have now achieved this objective. The proposed settlement will be now put to the owners at an EGM scheduled for Monday 19 December. Management strongly advocate a yes vote and do so with the full backing of our legal advisors.
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Once again the taxpayer gets hit with both side of the bill on this. Why is Bernard allowed continue on living in his palace and still be allowed build and receive a ‘wage’ from NAMA? Pi**es me off no end.
Why is Noonan in charge of Finance in this corrupted state is a question that should be answered.
And what about his buddy Willie? He’s still on bail so if there was any chance of a custodial he’d have been sent off on remand today!
Remember the hatchet job done on McFeely, and lets not kid ourselves.. It was done because he was an ex Provo.. Bernard McNamara gets away scot free because he’s in the click.. Not only has he gotten away with building apartments that are a fire hazard but he came back into the Country after making himself bankrupt in the UK and is building again.. All because he’s mates with crooked politicians and the bankers..
Cosmo McNamara is a big FF man. That man should be liable for every cent to fix these apartments but as you say, he can’t be used to bash SF so nothing in the media about this sneak who owes the taxpayers hundreds of millions and got away with it!
I’d encourage anyone to watch the below documentary, which portrays the situation in Ireland in relation to fire trap properties. In the 29 minutes of viewing time six properties in a row will have been burned to the ground as was the fire in Newbridge Co. Kildare in 2015. https://youtu.be/8LHGwwlC8rs
How do these situations occur? Does the contractor or developer not need to have someone sign off on this?
Of course someone has to sign off but those doing the signing off are public sector employees, where there is zero accountability!
What about Homebond? Is that still about?
@Stephen Devlin: Welcome to the magical world of “Self certification”
The system in Northern Ireland requires independent certification.
We’ve sure learned our lesson though.
Those who sign off are NOT public servants. The final sign off was left to architects who managed to word their part in such a way that they couldn’t be held legally accountable. It was known as self certification and failed miserably.
Wish I could get the council to pay for upgrades to my gaff as well
Making a property fire safe is not an upgrade.
Safety upgrade, not like they are going to paint the place too when they are there
Smithfield is another firetrap. Couldn’t lean against the wall in the living room for fear of going through it, no exaggeration.
Talk about repeating the mistakes of the past, we are going to be rightly screwed again when these builders start building more of these death traps & nothing will be done about it. Our government has a lot to answer for! Criminal behavior.
Dublin City Council need to get their act together over planning measures it seems….
Where was the fire Marshal? Building inspector? Code?
I don’t know where you live but in Ireland there are no such thing as Fire Marshall’s or Building inspectors in Ireland. Building inspection is carried out by outsourced engineers. Fire prevention officers have no legal authority to inspect buildings under construction.
Is it not time we had such positions and authority to conduct such inspections?
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