Council tenants served notice to make way for Thomond Park development

TENANTS in three council-owned houses which are to be knocked to make way for the redevelopment of Thomond Park in Limerick have been served with notices to quit.

The council tenants live at Knockalisheen Road, a terrace of 16 houses, all of which will be levelled in coming weeks to make room for a new stand at Thomond Park and to open up more access points.

The occupants of the other 13 houses, who bought out their properties over the years from the council, have agreed sell-out deals with the IRFU.

However, the three council tenants have been refusing to move although they are getting alternative accommodation in the locality.

Paul Foley of Limerick City Council’s housing department said: “We have been in discussions with the three tenants in the council-owned houses since early this year. Very extensive efforts have been made to address issues of concern which were raised.

“The council has offered alternative accommodation to these tenants very close to Knockalisheen Road and has committed to modernising the alternative accommodation to the highest standards.”

Unfortunately, he said, agreement has not been reached and the council had very little option except to secure its properties through the legal route.

Councillor John Cronin said serving notices to quit approaching December was not the way to go about dealing with the matter.

Limerick City Council is expected to make a decision on the planning application submitted by the IRFU for the €40 million redevelopment of Thomond Park.

It is hoped that the construction work on new stands will be completed by next October and that no major games will be lost to the venue.