Priory Hall resident’s bank debt cleared

A former Priory Hall resident, whose partner took his own life, will not be pursued for the outstanding debt on the property.

Stephanie Meehan had been told by KBC Bank she still owed nearly €17,000. This figure takes into account life assurance for her late partner, Fiachra Daly.

However, KBC has since said it will not pursue Ms Meehan, a mother of two, for any balance on her mortgage, as it now considered it unrecoverable.

“KBC deeply regrets if the bank added further to the upset of Ms Meehan and her family following the passing of Fiachra Daly,” a KBC statement said.

It was Ms Meehan’s revelations in an open letter to Taoiseach Enda Kenny about the pressure her late partner was under due the Priory Hall dispute before he took his life that propelled the issue up the political agenda, and she insisted the Government should be more proactive in the dispute, which has dragged on for two years.

Mr Kenny has signalled that he will not soften his stance on Priory Hall and meet residents before legal proceedings end, despite pleas by Ms Meehan for him to show “humanity”.

Ms Meehan clashed on national radio with junior health minister Kathleen Lynch over the matter after the Labour TD claimed Priory Hall was regularly on the Taoiseach’s agenda.

“You’re saying that Mr Kenny has it on the agenda monthly — well, you know what, he should have the decency and the humanity to meet with the residents of Priory Hall,” Ms Meehan said on RTÉ. “Everything aside, it has gone on too long, we need to get on with our lives.”

Ms Meehan, who has had to move her family five times since the development was evacuated in Oct 2011 due to fears over fire safety, also criticised the belated comments by Mr Kenny that the Government would deal with the Priory Hall issue as soon as possible.

“I’m sorry, but it took An Taoiseach two years to say that; I think that’s two years too late for myself and the residents — we’ve lost a life here,” said Ms Meehan.

“There has been countless millions of taxpayers’ money absolutely squandered — €3m-plus that’s been estimated — that could have gone towards re-housing people permanently. I am very sorry, but I am sick to death of your excuses and your Government’s excuses.”

Environment Minister Phil Hogan has stated Priory Hall may need to be levelled and built again at a cost of up to €12m.

The Taoiseach’s spokes-person said the Government stance, of not being able to meet residents before legal matters had been resolved, remained unchanged.

Mr Kenny expressed sympathy for residents last week, saying it would be a “complete injustice” to expect them to pay mortgages on properties that they will never live in again.