‘I don’t intend to return to Priory Hall’
Unfortunately for her, the Dublin apartment where she set up home more than three years ago has been deemed a no-go area because of serious fire safety risks.
Yesterday she joined the ranks of Priory Hall residents forced out of the Donaghmede apartment complex until essential works are carried out.
She woke this morning in the three-star Regency Hotel on the Swords Road — Dublin City Council’s choice of emergency accommodation for the approximately 100 Priory Hall residents who chose to avail of it.
“I don’t want to be in a hotel, it’s not a suitable place for the children, Lelana the baby, or Zofia, my 5-year-old, so I don’t intend to stay here too long,” she said.
She left her apartment with three black bags of belongings; the remainder of her possessions are, for the moment, with her landlord and some of her friends.
“I intend to look for somewhere else to rent in the next few days, I don’t intend to return to Priory Hall,” she said.
Kathrina, who is 25 and from Poland, arrived in Ireland approximately six years ago and works in a Heatons store. She lived first in Ballymun and then Clarehall before renting at Priory Hall.
Last night many Priory Hall residents attended a meeting at the Regency Hotel. Also in attendance were New Beginning, a group of concerned citizens, business people and legal professionals set up to defend the rights of homeowners.
Group administrator, David Hall, said everyone was “fairly traumatised” and many felt they were in a worse position than if they faced eviction.
“The way it is now, no-one knows where they stand or what they are entitled to. We went, at their invitation, to offer legal and administrative support. We have lawyers who have offered to assist to ensure the residents’ interests are protected.
“We also want to offer administrative help in terms of mortgages. These people have been spectacularly let down,” he said.
CONNECT WITH US TODAY
Be the first to know the latest news and updates
