Coolock tenant dealing with 'human excrement' from other flats coming into home
Major maintenance issues persist at a Coolock council apartment complex, with one resident facing “human excrement” from other apartments coming into their home.
At Monday’s North Central Area Committee, Social Democrats Councillor Jesslyn Henry stressed the need for Cromcastle Court residents to be given priority and moved out as a matter of urgency. As a complex undergoing a long-planned regeneration project, existing tenants remain living in poor conditions as they await assurances that they can move into the new buildings.
Cllr Henry told the council she has been sent “graphic pictures” from one resident of “his pipes disintegrated” on his ground floor apartment that has led to “human excrement from other flats going into his flat.”
“These people need to be moved out. I’m sorry but they need to be given priority and moved out, and for those that want to come back when these are built, give them the paperwork that says ‘yes, you can move back’ because it’s just disgraceful now at this stage.”
Similarly, Sinn Fein Cllr Edel Moran called for Cromcastle Court residents to be given assurances “in writing” that they will be moved into the new apartments that are expected to be constructed by the end of 2029. She said remaining residents are currently “in limbo” and that she doesn’t want to see a situation where residents are later told they cannot move in.
“I think that’s something that could be brought to the people right now, it gives them hope,” Cllr Moran said. Cllr John Lyons too stressed the need for the council to give residents a "commitment" that they will be prioritised when the 152 new housing units are available at Cromcastle Court.
Councillors have already signed off on Part 8 planning for the demolition of three existing Cromcastle Court blocks at Kilmore West. This redevelopment has been in the pipeline for almost 20 years, but residents feel they have been continually let down since it was first touted back in 2008.
Now, with the project closer to reality than it has ever been, there’s a feeling that tenants still living in the old blocks built as far back as the 1960s must not bear the brunt of construction chaos. Social Democrats Cllr Henry previously stated that remaining residents are already living in horrendous conditions and “are now also going to be living on a building site” and that they must not be left behind.
At the February monthly full council meeting, Cllr Henry cited the significant media attention that apartment complexes in the surrounding area, such as De Verdon Place , Burnell Place , and Bunratty Walk have received, and said they should be conscious these developments are just “a stone’s throw away from Cromcastle Court.” With external sources contributing to residents feeling like they are prisoners in their own homes, Cllr Henry stressed the importance of learning lessons from past mistakes.
“We’ve learned that the glass doors don’t work; we’ve learned that keypads on the doors don’t work. So, these design features must be taken into consideration so that residents in the new Cromcastle Court - like the ones discussed above - do not have to feel like they are living in hell, like one described to me,” she said.
“We must get better at taking into account the surrounding areas, the level of homelessness in the area, the levels of poverty and the services available in the community, and make an action plan for how to address these issues.”
Cllr Moran also welcomed the “crucial” redevelopment of Cromcastle Court, but stressed the importance of looking after residents who will remain in the meantime. She cited some who are “living in squalor with leaky pipes and no hot water.” She stressed the council should look into de-tenanting remaining residents as soon as possible.
The long-standing delays for delivering this project were blasted by Sinn Fein Cllr Michael Mac Donncha who said government regulation is making it a lot more difficult to deliver public housing on public land. He compared this to private developments, which “are seen flying up all over the city.” He too echoed the comments about looking after remaining residents who he said have been “treated very badly,” adding “it’s a disgrace.”
Housing Chief Executive Mick Mulhern said they are now appointing a contractor for the development, and councillors can expect building demolition to begin within the next two to three months. The delivery of new homes is anticipated by the end of Q4 2029.
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