CIÉ yesterday sent cheques believed to be worth €930,000 to 165 north Dublin residents disrupted during building work on a railway bridge.
Individuals in about 100 homes near the East Wall Road Bridge are expected to receive cheques today of up to €12,000 from the cash-strapped state transport group. The payments vary according to the proximity of homes to the railway.
Residents had complained they could not sleep at night when work was ongoing.
The unprecedented compensation package was determined by an arbitrator, Mr David Keane, after all-night protests earlier this year delayed the €24 million development. The ruling was binding on CIÉ, which declined to comment yesterday. Mr Keane also declined to comment.
There is strong concern in political circles that the package might prompt copy-cat claims for compensation during other public works. The area is in the constituency of the Taoiseach, Mr Ahern.
The campaign did not have universal support in the area. While forms were delivered to 500 householders inviting them to seek compensation, only 100 were returned.
The campaign was led by the North Strand Community Action Group. Its committee included a public relations consultant, Mr Brian Harmon, who works for the businessman Mr Denis O'Brien.
Asked whether the campaign was opportunistic, Mr Harmon replied: "I certainly wouldn't say that it was, far from it."
