Kerry court told about 'grave concerns' over fire safety at direct provision centre

Kingscourt Harmony Inn, Killarney. Picture: Google Maps

A court has heard there are “very serious and grave concerns” about fire safety at a direct provision centre in Killarney.

Kingscourt Harmony Inn, a former guesthouse, on the Muckross Road, Killarney is currently occupied by 67 people and three staff, the civil district court in Killarney has been told.

The court heard Kerry County Council had served it with a fire safety notice and the Harmony Inn is appealing against the notice.

Barrister for Harmony Inn, Eliza Kelleher, said her fire safety expert was unavailable and she was seeking an adjournment which had been flagged in December, before Christmas. However, Ms Kelleher acknowledged “certain concerns” had been raised by the council.

Barrister for Kerry County Council Richard Liston said an appeal would simply act as a stay. Kerry’s chief fire officer was in court, Mr Liston said.

“There are very serious and grave concerns,” Mr Liston said. The building was occupied by 67 people and three staff, he said.

“This is an urgent matter and some resolution has to be achieved today on behalf of the council,” Mr Liston added.

Judge David Waters said the court had to be “very mindful” of fire safety and if risk to life was an issue and there would have to be some hearing of the issues. Risk to life “is the issue,“ Mr Liston for the council said.

The parties agreed to enter discussions and to return later in the day. After more than three hours of negotiations, agreed terms were handed into court which must meet the satisfaction of the council’s chief fire officer. 

Terms of agreement

These include certain works to be carried out, barrister for Harmony Inn Ltd Eliza Kelleher said. There was agreement about "non-use of certain areas of the premises" until the works were done to the satisfaction of the chief fire officer, Ms Kelleher told the court. 

Judge David Waters adjourned the company's appeal against the council's fire safety notice to Listowel District Court on Friday, for hearing or for mention.

The terms include closure of the first and second floors of the building if works are not carried out by 8pm on Tuesday, January 9, including lighting as well as the removal of a picket fence and a gate, bins and other items at the western end of the building.

By 3pm on Thursday, fire doors have to be operational and cold smoke seals have also to be fitted to fire doors; works have also to be carried out to the fire alarm system and the system certified; a locked door to the basement has to be removed and loose material cleared from the main stairwell; a part of the building will have to be slabbed with fire resistant board and works have also to be carried out to the kitchen and canteen. 

A fire escape will also have to be installed to the first and second floor, all to the satisfaction of the fire officers.

Case background

The 22-bedroom Harmony Inn Kingscourt opened as an all-male direct provision centre at the end of November.

Hundreds of locals attended public meetings to voice objections. A silent march through the town under the banner “Killarney has its fair share” also took place. However, the plans went ahead and up to 75 men are to be accommodated there.

Council management had also appealed to the Department of Children to postpone the plan because of the high numbers of refugees already in Killarney. Killarney and the wider area has around 4,000 Ukrainian refugees and temporary protection applicants.