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Updated at 2.50pm
THE RECEIVERS TO Apollo House have launched a High Court action aimed at regaining possession of the property.
It follows the release of a statement from the receivers earlier today in response to the occupation of the Dublin building late last week by a group of activists who have set up a temporary hostel for the homeless.
The statement from Tom O’Brien of Mazars calls on the group behind the effort, Home Sweet Home, “to immediately end the current occupation in the best interests of those who are staying there”.
It said that the receivers had tried several times to meet with the group, to no avail, and warned that if cooperation was not immediately forthcoming, “we have no option but to take the only responsible course available and look for assistance from the court”.
Rossa Fanning SC, for the receivers, told the High Court this afternoon that due to the occupation the building, which has been vacant since mid-2015, it no longer has fire insurance and that its public liability insurance will lapse on in mid-January unless the receivers are able to regain possession.
They also say that there are a number of serious health and safety risks that make the building unsuitable for use as a shelter.
The former office block, they say was never intended to be used for residential purposes and required extensive maintenance. They have particular concerns over the electricity supply which had been cut and was restored by the occupiers.
There was also a risk of people tripping and falling down stairwells in the building, there were concerns about the building’s water supply and there is no provision for the removal of waste.
As a result of the occupation the receivers, who want to sell the property, are seeking injunctions requiring all those in occupation to vacate the premises.
Justice Paul Gilligan granted lawyers for the receivers permission to serve short notice of the injunction proceedings on solicitors purported representing the occupiers. Noting health and safety concerns, he made the matter returnable for tomorrow morning.
Should the court grant the injunctions sought, the joint receivers, Fanning continued, were also prepared to accept a timeline from the court for the occupiers to leave the building.
Response
Responding to the news this afternoon outside Apollo House, activist Rosi Leonard said they would be consulting with their legal team before deciding how to respond.
Speaking after a free concert at the building by Glen Hansard and others, attended by hundreds of people, she said that the attendance showed there was huge public support for the project and others like it.
Leonard said that there appeared to be an effort to paint the activists as irresponsible, but argued that it was the government that was being irresponsible by choosing to leave buildings vacant while people were sleeping rough on the streets.
Apollo House
Activists with the group – which is supported by well-known figures like Hansard, Damien Dempsey and film director Jim Sheridan – moved into the building late on Thursday night.
Around 30 people are now staying in the former Department of Social Protection Building near Tara Street Dart station each night, according to Home Sweet Home organiser and union activist Brendan Ogle.
Volunteers working to kit-out the disused building say they have been overwhelmed with support from the public, and intend to maintain their presence at the site to draw attention to the problem of homelessness.
The statement
Today’s statement from Mazars, the receivers appointed by Nama, said “our immediate priority and concern has been the health and safety of the homeless people seeking shelter there”.
While we endorse the importance of highlighting the need for providing shelter to the homeless and the most vulnerable in society, the provision of such sheltered accommodation must be done in an organised, structured and sustainable manner. That is not possible in Apollo House.
“We immediately engaged with Dublin City Council and homeless charities who provide shelter and care to the homeless with a view to ensuring that appropriate alternative accommodation, with the necessary facilities and staff, would be available to those who might seek shelter in Apollo House.
“All homeless charities recognise as a fundamental principle that shelter accommodation must be staffed by trained and properly resourced care professionals in order to create as safe and controlled an environment as possible.”
TheJournal.ie / TwitterReceivers to Apollo House release statement calling on activists to 'immediately end occupation' https://t.co/RQYqs9kuzh pic.twitter.com/kDjprH5gXW
— TheJournal.ie (@thejournal_ie) December 20, 2016
‘Poor condition’
The statement said that Apollo House is a commercial premises which was closed down in 2015 due to its poor condition, pending redevelopment.
“We share the views of the homeless agencies that the building is completely unsuitable for residential use and lacks the most basic facilities needed by those who are homeless. Notwithstanding the efforts by Home Sweet Home to provide these basic facilities, the building simply does not meet the requirements for a sustainable, safe physical and caring environment.
Another very significant issue is that this illegal occupation of Apollo House has resulted in the loss of fire insurance cover for the building which poses an immediate and significant risk to the occupants and to neighbouring property and occupiers. As the Receivers to Apollo House we cannot responsibly allow this situation to remain.
Relocation
The statement said that Dublin City Council had confirmed they expect 210 new beds to become available this week in three city centre facilities.
“These facilities are run by homeless agencies who provide not just beds but a full professional support service comprising professional care, medical and counselling staff along with access to public health nurses. Dublin City Council has agreed to work with these housing agencies so that all those sheltering in Apollo House can be accommodated in these facilities.
“Our overriding concern is for the health and safety of those who are homeless currently staying in Apollo House. The Receivers have tried to meet with Home Sweet Home in order to organise a move of those in Apollo House to appropriate accommodation with the full support services provided. We call on those behind Home Sweet Home to act responsibly and work with Dublin City Council to immediately end the current occupation in the best interests of those who are staying there.
“We have tried to engage constructively with those involved and have on a number of occasions sought to meet with them but to date, Home Sweet Home have not made themselves available to meet with us.
The situation at Apollo House cannot be allowed to continue indefinitely for the reasons mentioned. In the event that cooperation is not immediately forthcoming, as the Receivers to Apollo House we have no option but to take the only responsible course available and look for assistance from the courts in seeking to resolve this issue in the best interests of those currently in occupation at Apollo House.
Newly-opened hostels
The 210 bed places referenced in the Mazars statement are at hostels at Ellis Quay, Little Britain Street and Francis Street in Dublin city centre.
A judge lifted a stay on the Francis Street Emergency Accommodation unit, at Carmen Hall, last week, and Housing Minister Simon Coveney said in a statement that works were being completed with a view to having the building occupied before Christmas.
The hostels at Ellis Quay and Little Britain Street have been open since 9 December. Dublin City Council confirmed this afternoon that the Carmen Hall hostel would not be open until Thursday.
The twice-yearly Dublin Region Homeless Executive rough sleeper count recorded 142 people sleeping rough in the city area on the night of 22 November.
CEO of Dublin Simon Sam McGuinness said on Friday that emergency beds that had already been opened for the Christmas period were already nearing capacity. The charity’s own rough sleeper count found that over 100 people were still bedding down in the streets or in public parks.
- With reporting by Aodhan O Faolain
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It’s a miracle people, Apollo House vacant for about 6 years, fast forward someone takes it over less than a week ago, low and behold a few days later planning permission etc granted, there’s a moral to this story, if it’s vacant move in and never again will there be vacant eyesores around Ireland, shows how to get government moving. You couldn’t make it up !
@Catherine Mc: or – application for planning lodged 6 months ago with a decision to be made before Christmas. I fully support the plight of the homeless and give what I can, when I can (BTEA doesn’t allow for much), but seems more like someone pulled a PR stroke – now more time and resources will be wasted arguing over a completely unsuitable premises.
Matt, mark my words 2017 could be the end of vacant buildings in this country, and not before time. Premises are unsuitable but the streets are worse. I don’t think it’s a waste of time what has been done, it has properly highlighted a number of issues in this country, which have been completely ignored by government.
@Catherine Mc: The recievers work on behalf of the banks, the very people who created the homeless crisis in the first place. Send the reciever home until after Christmas and then lets try and sort it out.
And incredibly, Mazars the company acting as receivers for Nama at Apollo House and attempting to evict the homeless were recently contracted by the government to have an “independent” investigation into homeless services and groups.
From Mark Malone on Facebook:
“So the receiver of Appolo House, who want to evict people now, are Mazars. What else does Mazars do? (EDIT: With 10 mins googling they do a lot. We need to look long and methodically at groups like this, paid by us to shape state policy. Moving from the particular to the general)
“Mazars were engaged in October 2015 by the Department of Environment, Community and Local Government (DoECLG) to carry out an Independent Review of Homeless Services.”
@Benjy Dempsey: and you’ll be the first complaining when someone is receiving compensation for an injury received from being permitted to remain in an unsuitable premises.
I absolutely agree the homeless situation needs fixing NOW – but you’re humping the wrong leg with regard to the ongoing PR stunt at Apollo House.
@Matt Connolly:
The problem for the apologists for the status quo such as yourself is that many people are no longer prepared to be humped in silence. That’s why we see movements like the mass boycott of the water charge (banker tax), the direct action taken by the activists at Apollo house and why FF and FG are in a de facto coalition for the first time since the foundation of the state. You had better get used to it.
Oh? With a view to “allowing it to continue”? A great pity that the heating is working in courtrooms if this is all they can do for the homeless this decade.
@Benjy Dempsey: you lost me once you brought in water chargers. Hipster protester, doing it because it’s anti-establishment rather than for the individuals affected.. Much like the celebs who swooped in and buggerd off just as quick.
@Matt Connolly:
While the government procrastinates the people take action. Something had to happen, this is making news all over the world. Shame on FG, shame on Coveney, parasites.
@Matt Connolly:
It’s a well planned and organized direct action providing desperately needed accommodation and is far from a token hipster protest. And the musicians etc involved have all given generously of their time and money. Well done to all for their magnificent efforts. And crucially it exposes even more our sham of a “Republic” which has always been run in the interests of the capitalist elite and at the expense of the majority working class
First of all it is our government, we elected it and it reflects our political expectations. And second – It means nothing to get planning permission granted as it may stay vacant next 6 years depend on politics of its owner.
@Frank Cauldhame: Coveney and his buddies Enda and the ‘Vulture lover’ Noonan are scared shitless about what their ‘betters’ on Wall St will say when they see Irish people power all over CNN!
Ireland’s biggest landlords are all Wall St outfits. ….FG are hiding how they’ve facilitated the criminality that’s been going on with Cerberus and project Eagle through NAMA….and now the peasants are revolting.
Making headlines all over the world. Government are being shamed and rightly so.
. Apollo House: Irish stars join homeless shelter protest
Irish celebrities have lent support to a campaign against homelessness after activists took over an ex-government building and turned it into a shelter.
Well-known Irish musicians, including Oscar-winner Glen Hansard, Dublin band Kodaline and Hozier, led campaigners in song outside the Dublin building.
Apollo House, a former government office block, is empty but there are plans to demolish and redevelop it.
Receivers are now taking legal action to end the ‘”illegal occupation”..BBC news..
https://t.co/IaVWvf4uNT
@Matt Connolly: homeless people don’t have the means or capacity to sue for injury. They don’t have an address, the financial means or access to law. You are inventing a fictitious concern because the safety measure taken are extensive.
@cortisola:
“First of all it is our government, we elected it and it reflects our political expectations.”
No we didn’t elect an ugly 3 legged mongrel of a coalition between FG, bogus Independents and FF. The political establishment manufactured that outcome for themselves. Most people voted to to remove FG from power for example.
The parliamentary democracy system is the preferred form of rule for the capitalist class. It gives the majority working class the veneer of democracy while suppressing the possibility of any fundamental systemic change. This is typically achieved by having 2 parties with superficial differences but which both represent the capitalist ruling class. Tory Vs Labour in Britain, FF Vs FG in Ireland, Republicans Vs Democrats in the U.S. etc etc.
Big capital has always largely owned “democracy”. It’s a more resource efficient way of controlling the majority working class in comparison to brute force oppression. Democracy is not possible without an informed electorate and that is why the capitalist elite expend so much effort in keeping the majority misinformed as to the nature of the socio economic model which exploits them. The strategy is to control the information rather than direct control of the population by force which cannot be sustained indefinitely in any case.
@Matt Connolly: This has been well planned over time. This is no fly by night operation, Appolo Hse wont be the last.
Good. But be pragmatic about it. They’ve occupied an unsuitable premises. Permission will never be given to stay. By law doing nothing implies permission and permission changes status from trespassers to visitor. This is going to end up wasting money that would be better off being allocated to Peter mc verry or the like. When the activists have wandered off to next months fashionable anti-establishment protest, the ones who sweat blood for the homeless will be still there with less resources because on an ill-concieved “symbolic” action
Matt Connolly you Scrooge!
@Matt
I don’t think this occupation is a “waste of money” like you say and I don’t think its an “ill-conceived symbolic action”. What it does symbolise is the huge widening gulf that exists between the government and the people they are supposed to represent. Like I said earlier, while they procrastinate the people will take action and continue to do so until the status quo changes.
@cortisola, I wish I could give that two green thumbs because you are one hundred percent right on both points.
The priority is to get real action, effective measures and a real solution to homelessness, if necessary by acts of civil disobedience.
“end the current occupation in the best interests of those who are staying there.”
“our immediate priority and concern has been the health and safety of the homeless people seeking shelter there.”
So moving people back out on the streets to sleep in doorways and god knows where is in their best interests and better from a health and safety point of view.
Such bollox, I really wish these people weren’t so comfortable spouting such obvious lies. At least call it for what it is, a bloody nightmare for the receivers.. but the fault for that lies with the Govt and Dublin City Council.
A real case of pi55ing on people and telling them it’s raining.
@Eyepopper: “So moving people back out on the streets to sleep in doorways and god knows where is in their best interests and better from a health and safety point of view.”
The sort of thinking that makes Ireland great!
Yes, lets keep the recovery going for the Carpet Baggers courtesy of NAMA. You can’t be letting the little people get in the way of good old profiteering.
The law is ever a friend to the wealthiest and most powerful and a stick to beat the working class into submission. Solidarity to all involved in the Apollo House occupation. Anybody who voted for FF, FG or Labour has played a part in the making of this humanitarian crisis as it’s the inevitable result of the ideology they follow. Profit is king. People are disposable labour and consumer units to be exploited to the maximum.
If these people are evicted, I suggest that they set up a shanty town on Merrion Street. That might focus the minds of our benevolent leaders.
@Spammer: I would like to see that but sadly the State would use the Offences Against the State Act against the protestors.
There’s a nice house in Drumcondra outside which a shantytown could be set up.
@Micheal OLainn: I wouldn’t suggest that they obstruct the government in their duties, contrary the the Offenses Against the State Act! But rather suggest that that would be an ideal location for the homeless to set up a base.
The volunteers and soup kitchens should also consider Merrion Street as a ideal location from a political standpoint. I for one have had enough of the BS excuses from Simon Coveney and his predecessors. The vast majority in this state want this humanitarian crisis on our streets solved TODAY.
It sickens me to my core to see the devastation caused by homelessness on our streets whilst our government “keep the recovery” going.
@Spammer: well said and you are spot on.
Dear Receiver,
No.
Please f*** off with these requests.
When alternative permanent accommodation has been sourced for the 6000 people made homeless by FG/FF official policy we will evacuate.
Not a day before.
Happy Christmas
Love
The residents of Apollo House
The fact is that were it not for Home sweet Home moving in equipment and homeless, this building would be standing intact and vacant this time next year.
The establishment are terrified of this display of people power and will do anything to try and stop it. But it’s to late now, people have been taken for fools for long enough.
There will be trouble if the receivers try and enforce any court order to force people back on the streets.
@Dave Doyle: Well said. So glad to see the artistic community leading on this. FF/FG/Irish Labour haven’t a hope standing against this well loved community. So happy to see artists getting back to their political activist roots. Stay woke folks.
You’re right Dave, the establishment are absolutely terrified of the newly found people power. The general public have finally awoken to the massive corruption rife in the Irish system. Most saw through the filthy corruption of the Irish Water scam, now this. They are on the ropes and don’t know how to handle it.
Thank god it wasn’t the 17 empty storeys of Liberty Hall that was occupied.
@alphanautica: Liberty Hall was refurbished and is fully occupied as offices. Also, it is a secured premises.
Homeless people do not generate profit. We need to ensure foreign corporations maximise their profits at any and all costs. It’s the FG way.
@Shakka1244: We are all slaves to this State and the powerful vested interests with close ties to the ruling class, calling people ‘citizen’ is just PR as our rights as citizens are secondary to those people and their aims for themselves and their fortunes.
Laws are written by people who are generally considered to be liars and thieves.
@Dick Durkin: someone listens to Joe Rogan!
Government have been completely shown up by genuine compassion shown to homeless. They’ve been exposed that they simply do not care. They’ve to prepare for complete public backlash if they don’t organise permission for the occupiers in Apollo.
“shelter accommodation must be staffed by trained and properly resourced care professionals in order to create as safe and controlled an environment as possible”
How many of these people who find themselves homeless are not capable of looking after themselves? The new homeless are people who have been thrown out of their homes by vulture capitalists and do not need professional care – they just need a home.
@Richie Tyndall: you get right to the nub of the issue. Well said.
Well said Richie. Profit on one hand, and control on the other. Sheltered accommodation implies that there is something inherently wrong with these people, that because of their own failings they need to be corralled, regulated and controlled and have curfews attached by some government agency or other. Nothing to do with the political and fiscal measures that put them there.
Pick up the phone to tell the receiver to get lost…..
I can’t imagine anywhere more healthy and safe for these people, at the moment, than Apollo House. Rather than stamping their feet, Mazars, NAMA & DCC should be thanking the volunteers for keeping an otherwise empty building, newly scheduled for demolition, safe from vandalism, theft and drug use. The building certainly doesn’t care that it’s in use, why do they? People are safe from the oncoming Storm Barbara and the day to day abuses of having to sleep rough. This is a good thing so support it.
@Daisy Chai NSaw: eloquently and practically spoken.
I wonder what Enda and that other yolk Coveney or however you dpell its name have to say about this? As usual The Mayo Muppett keeping a low profile to dodge the flack!mwhat did this country to to get this character foisted on,us?
As a tax payer to the state and co owener of this building with the rest of irish tax payers they have my permission to stay there..
@John Doohan: that’s an interesting point. Survey on RTE conckuded that 75% of people support the occupation. The other 25% are FF and FG hardliners.
In this day and age, the age of information, a person has to be profoundly stupid to blindly follow any political party, despite displaying massive corruption and extreme stupidity on an industrial scale. They are the modern equivalent of the old time village idiot.
@ronan..people really are stupid and just that..one of lifes mysteries..worst still is kids who vote the same as their parents.i mean parents want kids to have a mind of their own..
Why not let those receivers drop down to the building and the media where the matter can be debated in public, or are they too ashamed to show their faces?
Shove your request where the sun don’t shine F..k DCC
The government can move at the speed of light when their interests/money is at stake.Everything/everyone else can literally F off and die.Great timing for the release of a statement all the same,idiots!!!!!
Mazars only has he best interest of the residents at heart eh?
Why not contact them to express your gratitude.
Address: Block 3, Harcourt Centre, Harcourt Rd, Saint Kevin’s, Dublin 2
Phone: (01) 449 4458
@mursim:
And ironically their chosen charity this year is Simon
“This year instead of sending Christmas cards or gifts, we are making a donation on your behalf to the Simon House of Cards Appeal to help address the problem of homelessness in Ireland.”
http://www.mazars.ie/Home/News/Latest-news/Merry-Christmas-from-Mazars
But can they refuse to do anything if they are representing NAMA ? Do they not have to follow the law ?
@Seamus Ryan:
They can end their representation of NAMA but that would be a big loss to them financially. Dont blame Mazars blame NAMA which should be investigated with a fine tooth comb as its not clear to me that they are representing the best interests of the Irish people as they sell off chucks of our city to foreign vultures.
Health and safety me arse.who believes these leeches.
@@mdmak33: strange that there is no concern about health and safety for people living on the streets.
No concern about health and safety in the hostels.
Balance is important and while I support this initiative, an office building is not suitable for residential occupation longterm. While this is shiny and new and you can have volunteers awake on every floor to evacuate then let it be, but when the bandwagon moves on and there is a skeleton crew available it is time to draw a line as job well done and move on. Building regs including fire stopping are there for a reason.
Funniky enough before it got cool to help the homeless 99% of people didn’t care . Out of sight Out of mind Nation of hypocrites
@now that’s magic: social conscience can be awakened when a crisis becomes so visible and when consciousness raiding measures are taken.
It is actions such as the HSH occupation of Apolllo House which can light up awareness and announce the call to popular action and support.
It is even conceivable that the occupation of Apollo House may become a footnote in modern history, marking the moment when people started to mobilise against political inaction on homelessness.
Apollo House is a small but valuable measure on its own. It is what it may result in which may become significant. Sicial change is often triggered by small events. Stonewall is an example.
Carpentoza, moving on seems to be an option exclusively reserved for property developers.
You’re comment does not reflect this country, now if your reading in China maybe? Glass half empty perhaps
I doubt very much if the receivers advisers are pushing too hard on this issue. Anyone can see it’s a PR / Political minefield. It has the potential to become another “Right2Water” grenade…
@Peter Higgins: that’s an astute comment. I think that you may be right.
If anyone gets injured onsite the Receivers better have good insurance.
Very negligent of them to allow so many people to live there without planning permission, they must be breaking all sorts of laws.
@alphanautica: civil trespass at most.
It was negligent not to secure Apollo House properly and effectively and to put static guards in position.. a person might be forgiven for thinking that it was an invitation to arson.
A Referendum is necessary to amend the Irish Constitution (like German Constitution) to provide a framework for the long term to deliver housing for all citizens. Family homes need to be legally redefined outside the general definition of property. Otherwise recurring housing crises for your kids and grandkids and their great gradnkids. Current proposals are only fiddling around the edges. Adults urgently needed.
https://www.change.org/p/referendum-on-right2home-in-ireland
@Neuville-Kepler62F: I strongly endorse that.
Tell them to ?€&€ off,Parisites
This and the water movement should be our arab spring. Get these compassionate driven people onto the next election ticket and get the parasites, and i include the sell outs zappone, ross and their ilk in that group, out of our dail. Something stinks in this beautiful isle of ours. They will sell the floor from right under you if they get a chance.
@AJ: crisis sometimes precipitates change for the better. Political parties often become moribund, clerotuc and out of touch. Reform and a more people oriented politics is called for.
@AJ: Because the Arab Spring ended really well
@AJ: the problem is that conventional and orthodox party politics can create crises but is not as effective in resolving such crises.
35 people have been temporarily housed at no cost to the Stare and no cost to wealth landlords.
@Rowan: the Arab Spring was repressed and undermined by external intervention.
@Rowan it was put down and used as a tool for old enemies to have a shot at each other. Whether people like it or not there is a revolution happening here. Young people are starting inform themselves and if people can just see through the bs and not settle for scraps which these parasites keep throwing at us to appease us then change will happen. Its inevitable. But it is up to us to rid ourselves of them.
It is contemptible for them to pretend to care for people by saying it not sufficient to be a caring environment. They don’t give a sh*T about a caring environment they would rather see people die on the streets than having a roof over their heads. Its the neo Liberal Gospel accoording to business, courts governments, politicians and the EU unelected bureaucrats.
Back away rapidly Mazars, this is not a fight you want to have..
Pretty sure the receiver/Mazar’s knows where they are if they wanted to take a walk over for a chat.
So to say they “havent made themselves available” is implying that HSH are refusing to talk at all, they are probably just refusing to go to the solicitor’s offices to talk perhaps.
And yesterday it was reported that the DFB inspected the building for fire safety.
I do agree that the occupation is not a long term solution however.
@Jonathan Morgan: the legal representatives of the occupier have agreed to meet A&L Goidbidy and Mazars fir the Receivers.
Short terms solutions are required for what is now a real and present crisis. 2018 and 2019 solutions are too far away.
It definitely seems as though HSH are refusing to meet with them if you are to read the article. And if this is the case if would seem fairly silly as they clearly have the high moral ground and should meet with recievers, at the very least to secure Apollo House until after Christ
@Conor O’Rourke: the legal representatives of HSH have offered to meet A&L Goodbody on numerous occasions.
Profit before people.
Let people go to the wall.
Survival of the fittest.
Preserve privilege.
Protect vested interests.
Time to Occupy a large misused building called Dáil Éireann. Lots of homeless people could comfortably fit in there and our elected fools can have their nonsense meetings at Apollo house instead. Wouldn’t be any health and safety issues. Plenty of pubs nearby instead of the dail bar, which the 3 of them that do bother to show up to each day and go to instead.
@iMoan Brutal: it would be putting the buildings to a socially constructive use.
@Micheal OLainn: Exactly. Id rather my tax money be spent on putting a roof over peoples heads that need it than some elected paracites wasting away billions upon billions. I’m sure if they had to pay for their own drinks at city centre prices there would be enough money saved to house a homeless person for every day in the week.
Occupation of that kip achieves nothing. Musicians should be ashamed of themselves saying something like this is OK instead of encouraging people to attend actual homeless services. Is Glen H screening people at the door to make sure drug dealers are not harassing people in this ‘safe haven’ and will Glen sing songs at their funerals if the place comes down around them? Idiots!
@Phil Swan: the symbolism and motivation are lost on you.
I visited Apollo House. It is superbly managed and operated.
Homeless services are too burdened at the moment. This intervention has housed 35 people and possibly even saved some lives.
@Phil Swan:
Home Sweet Home IS a homeless service – it is providing safe, secure, alcohol and drug free accommodation to very vulnerable people, in an unused building which the fire department say meets necessary health and safety standards.
And it is shi9ning a light on the brutality of the FG/FF coalition’s attitude towards Irish people.
As a matter of incidental interest, why was the office building left so unsecured with no security or protection, no static guards or CCTV at point of potential entrance.
As I see it, the unsecured building was an open invitation for occupation.
I am concerned at how many derelict and quasi derelict buildings are left vacan and unsecured, almost as if the owners are hoping that vandals may break in and cause a malicious fire.
The only recklessness, irresponsibility and misconduct in this matter was leaving the premises wide open to occupation. Fortunately, instead of arson, the building is being out to excellent use.
Well done to Home Sweet Home.
Does your house have all these security measures in place…….same logic!
No point in trying to make out HomeSweetHome are in the right.
@Paul: yes, my house is very well secured. It is not vacant. It has reinforced doors and wireless CCTV coverage which I can access from my phone. This may sound excessive but I’m sometimes away on business and my wife is then on her own.
Leaving a vacant office wide open was an invitation to occupation. Static guards would have been a bare minimum.
I wonder about the foolishness and irresponsibility of not securing Appollo House but there are also many other unsecured buildings which are high,y vulnerable to arson.
Vacant properties are not guarded your opinion in that regard varies from normal practice. Unless you have insider knowledge on how they gained entry then you are speculating and trying to apportion blame to the receivers for an unlawful entry.
@Carpentoza: the doors were open. I established that from inspecting the scene of entry. An Garda Siochana accepted that there was no forcible entry. The Receivers did not properly secure the property. That’s what happened. Blame is for others to determine.
Are you an amateur sleuth M O’C ? We only have your partisan opinion for the way entry was gained to be fair. The point is that it undermines credibility to suggest any blame on receiver for entry because they didn’t have guards and the doors were open. An unlawful entry occurred, I don’t believe that HSH would deny that, the manner of their civil disobedience is admirable and palatable on the basis of actions thus far.
@Carpentoza: nowadays it behaves people to be responsible with vacant buildings and to secure them.
An Garda Siochana assert that there was not forced or forcible entry. Have you evidence to the contrary? I was able to see for myself.
Irresponsible property owners have to suffer the consequences. Insurers expect adequate security measures, especially on vacant buildings.
I’m pleased that good has come out of irresponsible landlords.
Hi Michael, again you are polishing your opinion and selling it as fact. I’m not aware of your qualifications and the extent of your survey which established these facts. It does seem as though you are attempting to link yourself with this brave initiative after your visit there. You were obviously quite taken with it all which is nice, well done for takeing the time. Your vitriol in respect of landlords suggest your views are not balanced. I have found HSH statements and actions to be very balanced and without vilification.
It’s an interesting link that Apollo was the God of music and the arts.
“We share the views of the homeless agencies that the building is completely unsuitable for residential use and lacks the most basic facilities needed by those who are homeless” – If I was in the unfortunate situation to be homeless I think I would rather be somewhere that is “unsuitable for residential use ” than on the street
Not only are HSH using Apollo House for a socially good and constructive purpose, they have secured the building against vandalism and potential arson.
HSH should charge the Receiver and NAMA for protection of the building.
@Micheal OLainn: If they were payed would they have to declare it to the dole office.
Seems like our horrendous “establishment ” politicians were afraid of a backlash, so they got other people to do the donkey work for them.
The elected people who are actually supposed to be responsible for tackling the homelessness crisis are delighted that you are all dorecting your anger towards accountants, receivers and faceless businesses.
@Neal, not Neil.: ahh yes, but what interests ensure the election of these politicians, what interests effectively lobby Givernment and whose interests are advanced by the elected politicians? It is a multi faceted problem.
How long before the guards with riot gear and water cannon move in? Against our own citizens?
@Kevin Slater: I and many like me will protest peacefully and put up passive resistance to such an attack.
Ordinary and non privileged people such as me have made donations of money and supplies. We don’t want this initiative to unravel. If that makes us criminals so be it.
@Micheal OLainn: As soon as Inda or any of his elected tosspots show up on the scene
I see that’s our Action has been initiated. There is always loads of money fir legal fees and expensive and supposedly emergency court applications but not enough money and resources to address homelessness.
Imagine to do that before xmas. why not wait until the new year before asking the people to leave?
@Louise:
It doesn’t matter that they asked before Christmas. Asking the occupants to evacuate was inevitable.
What is important that the residents ignore these requests; and to ignore the court orders,
In the middle of a homeless humanitarian crisis then the creators of the crisis (the FG / FF coalition government) and the agents of the creators (the court system) have no legitimacy.
I am thrilled that the Apollo House occupation has garnered so much support from the public,.
The government is going to fall because of this.
When the March general election occurs the biggest issue must be the housing crisis.
The emergency and short notice Court application for an emergency injunction contrives false, spurious and misleading claims about health and safety.
Apollo House where activism meets smacktivism ! lets get the party started , why not get a sound system in and blow the roof off the place. Apollo was raver .Rave tonight, tomorrow the full week, rave, rave ,rave. Why not ?
@Bernard O’Brien: you are on the wrong story. Easy mistake of yours.
@Micheal OLainn: There are two sides to every story, can you explain why you think I’m on the wrong story. I was just exploring options to relieve the boredom of homelessness, music does tend to liven up a squat, I’m speaking from experience, or has homelessness been hijacked by cracktivists, and they should only comment, is that it ?
@Bernard O’Brien: comment away. This is not a story about music or partying.
@Micheal OLainn: No ! I beg to differ, partying excessively can lead to homelessness, maybe we should hold a referendum and ban partying, will you help activate this genius plan please ?
@Bernard O’Brien: you are intentionally off on a complete tangent.
any sign of bono?…president Higgins?….
Genuine question: How did they get in? Have they removed the locks from doors?
@JFN: the entry point had been left unlocked. I was shown the entry point. The locks have not been broken or removed. An Garda Siochana attended. There was no evidence of forcible entry, which would have been illegal. There were no static guards, no alarms, no CCTV, no remote notification system. It was a premises inviting entry and occupation.
I asked a homeless person at 2am last friday why he was sleeping on Grafton street and not down in Apollo house, he said he felt safer there than in hostels. Why is this? if the above article states that real hostels are staffed properly? Why do those who need the shelter most turn these places down? We need a space for the actual problems connected, better staffed by the sounds of it. It’s about Alcohol, it’s about addictions. Are Mazers actually after 6 years dereliction going to send Gardai down there to forceably remove everyone? I can see at least a thousand people standing in front of those gates the day it happens.
@Aidan Kelly: They don’t care, they’ll send the gardai in without batting an eyelid. They know they have us all by the balls, and anything short of a complete revolution wont remove ff,fg,sf,lab and all the other con artists.
Lets fight that it stays for the homeless after all it was in NAMA hands and that means the People of Ireland owns it and refuse. Too many buildings sold by NAMA were bought for a fraction of the cost especially Dobby’s. So surely we can give to the poor.
have your say