RESIDENTS OF a Dublin apartment complex could be forced to vacate their homes because of fire safety risks.
Tenants and owners in the privately owned apartments at Priory Hall, Clongriffin, received a letter from Dublin City Council dated Tuesday last warning them of forthcoming court action.
Dublin City Council fire officers found a “serious risk” to the safety of residents in the event of a fire, the letter said. Among the problems highlighted by the fire safety officers were the absence of adequate cavity walls and inadequacies in the fire alarm system.
“In the opinion of the fire officer it is unsafe to continue occupying the premises unless these deficiencies are rectified,” the letter said.
Problems with electrical and gas installations in individual apartments also required urgent attention, the letter said. The council’s fire officer is applying to the court regarding its concerns and will request that the court prohibit the use of the premises. The case “may lead to a court order to have the premises vacated”, the letter said. “Any such order is a matter for the court,” it added.
Dublin City Council yesterday could not comment on the situation as it said court action was “imminent”. The letter advises residents to seek legal advice “as a matter of urgency”.
The council “appreciates that residents will find this news distressing” but it was “imperative that steps be taken to secure the safety of persons in the premises”, the letter said.
The letter offered to provide residents with information about qualifying for the council housing list. There are almost 200 units in the complex.
The council vacated its social tenants from the apartment complex on health and safety grounds in 2009 after issuing a fire notice to the developer Coalport Ltd.
