Kenny vows to find solution to Priory Hall

The Taoiseach has said it would be a “complete injustice” to expect the former residents of Priory Hall to pay mortgages on properties that they will never live in again.

However, speaking in Cork yesterday, Enda Kenny said he would need more time to find a solution to the problem.

Almost 250 homeowners and tenants were evacuated by court order from the Dublin apartment complex two years ago after it was declared a fire hazard.

Since then many have been living in accommodation provided by Dublin City Council.

Enda Kenny said Priory Hall was the worst of what occurred during the “so-called Celtic Tiger years” where people were put into houses that were “death traps”. He said he had spoken to Environment Minister Phil Hogan about the situation.

“I want the people to know that just as in the same way commentators said we wouldn’t do anything about the Magdalenes, or the pyrite problems or Priory Hall, I can assure you that we will. We just need a little more time.

“I think when you consider what happened in our country over many years where banks and developers and others of various reputes were helped in so many ways I think it would be a complete injustice to have these people expected to pay mortgages and interest on houses that they will never live in.”

Priory Hall residents s welcomed his comments but only cautiously.

Spokesman Graham Usher told RTÉ news: “What we need is the minister and the Taoiseach to get onto the banks to insist that they get this sorted, to follow the lead that AIB set yesterday and make sure all the banks are on the same page and we can finally end this nightmare.”

Speaking at the Oireachtas Finance Committee on Tuesday AIB chief executive David Duffy the bank could offer debt writedowns to Priory Hall residents.