Concerns tenants terrorised by thugs
By Maurice Garvey
THE delay in finishing a social housing development in Cherry Orchard, has led to concerns that tenants are being “terrorised” by thugs.
In September, builders pulled their tools off the Orchard Meadows site, amid fears they wouldn’t be paid, following financial difficulties revealed by site contractor MDY.
Orchard Meadows in Cherry Orchard
Up to 36 homes in the 72 Co-Operative Housing Ireland (CHI) social development, were completed and occupied by families on the housing list but not the remaining 36.
Dublin City Council area manager Kay Noonan said the impression given to the council in December was that MDY would be back on site before Christmas.
“I became concerned myself when I noticed no further works had taken place and none of the outstanding 36 units had been let,” she said.
Ms Noonan said she contacted the project manager and was informed that the draft contracts had not been signed, but they were confident they will be signed.
A number of tenants have been lined up for the properties, but it appears they won’t be ready to be let until at least six weeks from the signing of the draft documents.
Cllr Daithí Doolan said gangs of young people are using the lack of street lighting and mounds of earth at the unfinished development to “terrorise” residents.
“They are using the dark of night because there is no street lights. The houses of single mothers have been broken into.”
He said he has been to the area three times since Christmas and residents have claimed the attacks are racially motivated, as the targets are primarily African families.
Cllr Vincent Jackson requested the city council invite CHI in to the next area meeting to answer questions from local councillors.
