Council accused of going back on Longboat Quay pledge

Body alleged to have dropped contribution to repair costs from agreed €1.25m to €800,000

Fire safety defects were found at the Longboat Quay complex in Dublin’s docklands which was built in 2006. File photograph: Brian Lawless/PA Wire
Fire safety defects were found at the Longboat Quay complex in Dublin’s docklands which was built in 2006. File photograph: Brian Lawless/PA Wire

The management company at the Longboat Quay apartment complex has accused Dublin City Council of reneging on its pledge to pay €1.25 million towards repair costs.

The works were to repair fire safety defects at the complex in Dublin’s docklands which was built in 2006. Residents were previously told they would be evacuated.

The original cost of repairs was estimated at about €3.9 million and both the receiver and council had pledged €1.25 million each.

That would have left a shortfall of €1.4 million to be met by residents. However developer Bernard McNamara stepped in and offered his assistance with the works.

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This development further reduced the anticipated cost to about €2.5 million meaning the residents would be left without any bills.

However, it is understood that council has now said it intends to reduce its contribution so that it would be giving the same percentage as its initial offering. As a result its offering is now thought to have dropped from €1.25 million to €800,000.

Dublin City Council declined to comment citing ongoing related legal action. However, there now appears to be a shortfall of €450,000 which will fall to residents of the apartments.

A letter setting out the latest development has been circulated to residents.

Mark Hilliard

Mark Hilliard

Mark Hilliard is a reporter with The Irish Times