Builders threatened by gangs in turf war

GANGS have threatened builders working on a €10 million flats revamp on Cork’s northside in an apparent turf war.

But it will not prevent the long-awaited work from going ahead, the city council has assured.

Builders moved on site to begin renovations of the dilapidated Cushing Road and Cushing Place flats complex last week.

It was earmarked for major refurbishment in 2004 but funding issues stalled the start of the work until last week.

Its residents were moved out several months ago and the 54-unit complex was boarded up. But the delay resulted in the flats becoming a hive of serious antisocial activity. Sources said a local gang had moved in, using some of the back gardens as a drink and drugs den.

Several people reported open drug dealing from the site and several malicious fires have also been set.

The problems forced the council to hire a private security firm to guard the site.

Councillors were told last November that up to €5,000 a week was being spent on security and that the total bill at that time was close to €100,000.

Unconfirmed reports suggest that up to six security staff employed to protect the site had to be hospitalised after attacks.

Frustrated with the delays and the resultant anti-social activity, residents have mounted several protests in recent months calling for building work to start.

Builders eventually moved on site last week but they have been threatened by gang members anxious to maintain control of the site. The contractor was unavailable for comment.

Senior city council housing official, Stephen Kearney, said he was unaware of any specific threats to the workers.

He admitted that there had been a number of incidents of vandalism in recent months but he said now that the builders are on site, things should settle down.

“We are working closely with the gardaí and the builder should be let get on with the project,” he said.

“This is a major €10 million project. There will be a period of consolidation and a period of settling down but there is no threat to the contract.”

Local Sinn Féin Councillor Jonathan O’Brien said it was time for the local community to back the project.

“The community must stand up to these gangs. This project cannot be held up any longer by the actions of a small minority,” he said.

The revamp project was initially priced at €7 million but delays resulted in the costs jumping to €10 million and a new funding application had to be made to the Environment department.