Residents fear for safety in flats complex

RESIDENTS living in a Northside housing complex fear lives will be lost unless Dublin City Council addresses what they claim are serious health and safety issues.

Residents in Cromcastle Court, Coolock, are frustrated that

“superficial

? works are being carried out to bring the complex up to standard before vacant flats are reopened for tenants.

The complex, which is 40-years-old, was due to be demolished and redeveloped in 2008 but these plans were scrapped after the collapse of the construction industry.

According to Gary Lester, chairman of the Cromcastle Court Residents’ Committee,

“it’s going to take a disaster

? before the complex is fitted with fire doors and up-to-date electrical wiring and fuse boxes.

“There are about 50 vacant flats here that the council is trying to do up by painting before they are re-tenanted,

? he told Northside People.

“While we welcome this we think that there are far more urgent issues with the flats that need to be addressed to bring them up to standard.

“All the flats need new windows to replace the flimsy steel windows we currently have that let in so much of a draught and water when it’s raining.

“The fuse boxes are the old style ones that have been in the flats since they were built four decades ago. They don’t even have a trip switch.

“Also, there’s only one way in and one way out of the complex which poses a major danger to us should a fire break out.

“Added to this is the fact that the rubbish bins are situated at the end of the stairs and thugs are constantly setting the rubbish on fire which causes smoke to travel up the chutes and into the flats.

?

Mr Lester said that he and other residents have repeatedly made contact with the council to raise their concerns.

The residents are in the process of getting their own fire safety report carried out, such is their frustration with the council’s response to their concerns.

Mr Lester believes that once the vacant flats are reopened there will be a higher risk of a tragedy occurring because of the increasing number of residents living in the complex.

“We have held a number of meetings to discuss the matter and each time for one reason or another a representative from the council hasn’t been able to attend,

? he added.

Local Sinn Fein representative Denise Mitchell called on the city council to work with the residents to have improvements carried out on the flats.

“I have had a number of meetings with the residents and I can understand their frustration at the slow pace of the improvement works,

? she stated.

“I am calling on the council to deal with a number of issues including replacing fire doors, the securing of bin sheds, complete repainting of the complex and all repairs to stair rails to be carried out.

“The council are committed to reopening all of the vacant flats but this would be pointless if comprehensive improvement works are not carried out first.

?

A spokesman for Dublin City Council said they were actively engaging with the tenants’ group on the improvements of vacant units at Cromcastle Court.

“The issues raised are being examined and will be responded to in due course,

? he told Northside People.

“Meanwhile, a painting programme is currently in progress, which will be completed within the next two months.

?