McFeely ordered off Priory Hall complex

DEVELOPER Thomas McFeely, his company and workers were ordered by the High Court to leave the Priory Hall apartment complex by 6pm yesterday after Dublin City Council sought their removal over a lack of progress in fire safety works being carried out at the development.

A new contractor has been identified to complete the works, the council earlier indicated.

Mr McFeely had denied any breach of court orders but his lawyers said he would not object to being replaced if that was what the council wanted.

In finding there was breach by the McFeely side of court orders to carry out certain works on a weekly basis, the president of the High Court, Mr Justice Nicholas Kearns, expressed concern for the 240 residents who remain evacuated from the complex amid uncertainty as to when the safety works will be finished, who will pay for them and when they will be able to return.

The judge, who earlier described the council’s approach to the situation at Priory Hall as “half-baked”, said the council must address the situation at Priory Hall “as a matter of extreme urgency”.

He also directed the council to meet shortfalls experienced by residents entitled to rent supplements but whose alternative rented accommodation is more expensive than Priory Hall.

Lawyers for some residents said they were concerned about what was to happen. John O’Donnell SC said his clients were happy for someone else do the works but there was still a question about who was going to pay for these. There could be nothing but sympathy for the residents, he said.

Conleth Bradley SC, for the council, said it has another firm of contractors ready to complete the works but cannot itself fund the works and was not required under law to do so as its responsibility was fire safety.

The council had sought the evacuation orders at Priory Hall as “a matter of life and death” was involved but it was not responsible under law for what happened to persons evacuated under fire safety orders, he added.

The council had sought to have Mr McFeely fund works by the replacement firm but his lawyers said Mr McFeely would be unable to do so. A freezing order remains in place over the accounts of Mr McFeely.

Mr Justice Kearns made the evacuation order against Mr McFeely and Coalport Building Company Ltd,after hearing from experts for the Coucil and Mr McFeely.