Council: unauthorised demolition site contaminated with asbestos

A SENIOR scientist with Limerick County Council said yesterday that the site of a demolished building in the centre of Rathkeale is contaminated due to the presence of asbestos.

The site was still cordoned off while experts called in to assess the rubble, which could pose a risk to public health.

The former People’s Bakery building, which had an asbestos roof, was demolished earlier this week without the authorities being notified that an asbestos structure was being razed to the ground.

The Health and Safety Authority impose strict conditions on the demolition of buildings when asbestos is involved and the authority has to be given 28 days’ notice by law.

However the authority the first it knew of the Rathkeale demolition was when work was already completed and concerned locals alerted Limerick County Council.

The council immediately ordered the site to be cordoned off and got units of the fire brigade to hose down huge mounds of rubble to prevent asbestos dust rising into the atmosphere.

Experts were yesterday trying to determine the grade of asbestos on site.

When this work is completed a plan of action to remove the rubble will be drawn up by the council.

Lara Fagan, senior executive scientist with Limerick County Council said: “Whoever was responsible for this had no regard for the environment. They brought in a JCB and knocked the building. Now the whole area is contaminated. If it was done properly this would not be the case.”

Local TD Dan Neville, whose constituency office is near the site in the town centre, has called for an immediate inquiry into the circumstances surrounding the demolition, which may pose a public health hazard.

The Health and Safety Authority sent inspectors on site last Tuesday.

Angus Laverty said the HSA had no record of having received notice of the demolition, required given the presence of asbestos in the structure.

When such notice is filed with the HSA, inspectors ensure the contractor has the necessary qualifications to carry out demolition work involving asbestos rubble and that an approved regime is put in place to deal with the rubble and its disposal.