Martin McAleese resigns as chair from Priory Hall board

Martin McAleese, husband of the former President Mary McAleese, has resigned his position as independent chair of the Priory Hall Implementation Oversight Group.

The former President Mary McAleese and her husband Martin own an apartment in the Longboat Quay complex.

In a statement this evening, Mr McAleese has said as an owner of a property there, he feels the parallels with Priory Hall render his position in the group is untenable.

He has tendered his resignation to the office of the Taoiseach with immediate effect.

Meanwhile owners and residents at the Longboat Quay apartment complex in Dublin have said the offer they have received from the Dublin Docklands Development Authority (DDDA) is ‘totally unacceptable'.

The DDDA has offered to pay €2.75m, or 58%, of the cost of making the complex, which doesn't meet fire standards, safe.

This leaves a bill of around €2m to be financed by management and apartment owners.

In a statement this evening the residents and owners have said the terms and conditions of the offer are unacceptable and they will be seeking legal advice.

One resident, Seamus Pullen, is not happy.

“They want me to pay to get something fixed, I want compensation for fixing up the apartment I bought from them that was in a bad way and plus it is a health and safety issue,” Mr Pullen said.

“My kids have been sick, with chest infections, sore throats, headaches, everything because they are breathing in this damp and this mould for the last seven years.”