OPW to demolish buildings in juvenile detention centre after asbestos discovered

Demolition will see two blocks of the existing Trinity House building on the campus brought to the ground, with the resulting debris to be disposed of off-site. Picture: Colin Keegan/ Collins

The Office of Public Works (OPW) is to demolish two disused housing units at the Oberstown juvenile detention centre in Dublin where evidence of asbestos contamination has been discovered.

The demolition, which has been spearheaded by the Department of Children, will see two blocks of the existing Trinity House building on the campus brought to the ground, with the resulting debris to be disposed of off-site.

The destruction of the two buildings, which do not house any of Oberstown’s detainees, is complicated by the fact asbestos, a dangerous carcinogenic material, has been discovered in multiple locations at the site.

The demolition was first signed off by the OPW in September 2022. 

The body declined to reveal the value of the demolition contract, citing “commercial sensitivity”.

The levels of asbestos, meanwhile, in the two buildings were assessed by a private consultancy in 2022.

That survey found asbestos cement slates were present on the verge of the buildings’ roof, and could also be located beneath the walls and under window sills, while the slates in question “may be present in an ad hoc fashion throughout the build”.

Asbestos off-cuts could also be present in the ground surrounding the buildings, the survey said.

Asbestos was commonly used in the construction of residential buildings prior to the 1980s due to its effectiveness when used as insulation.

Lung cancer

However, inhalation of the substance can lead to an assortment of health problems in the lungs, including lung cancer.

A spokesperson for the OPW said the works were expected to be completed before the end of this year.

“Any contractors engaged in this project will be qualified to carry out specialist asbestos removal and disposal works, in a compliant manner,” the spokesperson said.

The Department of Children, meanwhile, noted the building in question, Trinity House School, had first been constructed in the early 1970s and, in addition to office space and residential units, had been the site of the campus kitchen.

The proposed demolition has been commissioned as all children living at the campus are now accommodated at six newly-constructed residential units, a spokesperson for the department said.

Oberstown was first opened in 1983. 

While it has a capacity for 54 male and female residents, its average population across 2023 was 35, with spaces limited by the minister for children to prevent the overcrowding routinely seen in adult correctional facilities in Ireland.

Young offenders found charged with serious crimes have frequently been remanded on bail in recent years due to the unavailability of beds at Oberstown.