Co Clare residents defy order to leave homes

Families living in a housing development in Co Clare have pledged to remain in their homes despite being given just days by receivers to leave the properties on health and safety grounds.

Residents of Abbey West Cottages in Bellharbour reacted to a letter, hand-delivered to them earlier this week by people acting on behalf of receivers, Ernst and Young, to the invitation to leave.

In the letter, from E&Y’s Cork office, residents were asked to leave by or at noon yesterday, as the properties were “in breach of certain health and safety standards“. E&Y added the situation was “regrettable”.

A survey report of the properties — typically thatched dormer holiday homes — said while built only in 2002, the properties were “generally in a poor condition”, and also cited deterioration in the quality of the thatching.

But one resident, Jonathan White, said many of those living in Bellharbour had been doing so for a decade or more and that at a meeting on Wednesday night, it was decided they would stay put.

“The letter was a blatant stick and carrot attempt to get the properties vacated,” he said. “Threshold read the property report and reckon there is no immediate threat to our lives. Some of us have been here over 10 years and are still healthy. At the meeting we all resolved to stay in our homes, we have the support of threshold and Hub Galway.”

As noon passed yesterday, the five households involved — three families and two single men — reiterated that they intended to stay in their homes.

“We are staying and our advice is that we have every right to,” Mr White said.

The letters to the households included an offer of vouched expenses which would cover rental costs for two months.

In a statement, Marcus Purcell, partner with E&Y said: “As a result of a standard Health and Safety review carried out, the properties at Bellharbour were assessed as being unsafe for habitation due to failing fire safety standards. Therefore, for the safety and protection of the occupiers, the receivers had to take the decision, to ask tenants to vacate the properties.

“The receivers informed occupiers they will fund alternative accommodation and provide additional financial support recognising the difficulties this required action will cause,” he said.