Threat of evacuation for Longboat Quay residents lifted

Residents at Longboat Quay apartments in Dublin have been given 18 months to complete vital fire safety modifications which will cost in the region of €4m.

The court order stalls the threat of evacuation hanging over about 600 residents from 298 apartments in the Dublin docklands.

The Longboat Quay management company, which represented the residents, challenged the fire safety notice issued by Dublin Fire Brigade demanding work, including the installation of a smoke ventilation system and fire prevention materials, to begin by November 1. The notice was issued on behalf of Dublin City Council.

The appeal brought against the notice was heard yesterday at Dublin District Court during which Judge Michael Coghlan heard lengthy submissions from the management company and Dublin City Council.

He confirmed the fire safety order but pushed back the deadline, stipulating the necessary work must be completed by May 30, 2017, and that would require a starting date at some point in 2016. By then it is expected a decision will have been made, in separate proceedings, as to who will foot the bill for the work, which is expected to cost €3.88m.

Judge Coghlan said he was agreeing to extend the deadline because “it is a unique case not comparable with a normal private residence situation; it is completely transparent to all, significant sums of money come into play”.

He said he was sympathetic but had been concerned the request for the extension placed him “in the seat of having to deal with the potential for disaster between now and whenever those works are completed”.

However, he noted the development remains insured and it was expected that would continue and significant work had already been carried out to reduce risk.

The notice was served by Dublin Fire Brigade on October 2 because the work thought necessary to make the buildings safe had not started.

Separately, an issue has arisen and is currently before the Commercial Court as to who will foot the estimated €3.88m bill.

Peter Leonard, counsel for the management company, asked Judge Coghlan to extend the deadline for commencement of works imposed by the council. He said the fire safety order had consisted of four requirements and there has been compliance withthree. The court had a power to confirm, nullify or confirm and modify the fire safety order.

Other short term works due to be completed by Friday had “significantly reduced” risks to the building. From November last year and March this year €1m was spent to improve fire detection and alarm systems. According to the management company’s own fire safety consultants, this significantly improved safety at Longboat Quay.

However, Mr Leonard said it would take another nine months to finish all the work and he said the original one-month deadline given was “manifestly unreasonable”.