Council seeks hearing over orders

DUBLIN City Council has asked the Supreme Court for an urgent hearing of its appeal against court orders requiring it to pay accommodation and other costs of about 240 residents evacuated from the Priory Hall complex due to fire safety concerns.

The residents were evacuated in mid-October after an application to the High Court by the council, which to date has incurred a bill of about €350,000 as a result of court orders to meet their costs, Conleth Bradley SC, for the council, said yesterday.

The council was concerned at the implications of the orders for the taxpayer and for its role as a fire authority.