Residents of one of Dublin's landmark flats complexes are marking a historic day as a €130 million redevelopment project began with the demolition of a derelict housing block.
There were mixed emotions as diggers moved into Fatima Mansions in the capital's south inner city this morning to knock down the first of five blocks in the first phase of the Public Private Partnership (PPP) scheme to rejuvenate the area.
The complex, which once had an Irish band named after it, was built in 1951 and is near Rialto and Dolphin's Barn. It is to be redesigned and rebuilt in a number of phases. Ultimately, Dublin City Council and the project team aim to create a sustainable mix of private and social housing.
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On site to witness the destruction of the first ground-floor flat in a block vacated around two months ago, assistant city manager Mr Brendan Kenny said: "I think it's a sad day for some of the residents, but I don't think it's a sad day for all of them.
"I think even the people who were sad to see it realise there's a much better future and they want it to happen. Fatima has developed problems over the years.
"For certain periods, it was very stable community, but it found it very hard to withstand certain social problems that came about in the 80s, all the anti-social behaviour and unemployment, etc. It didn't withstand those problems like other complexes around the city," Mr Kenny said.
"Also, because of its architecture, it was too open - there are too many ways of getting in and getting out and that's always an attraction for anti-social behaviour.
"We believe it's been a blight on the area and it's not the fault of the residents or community groups or anyone else, but it has become a major eyesore and it has become separated not alone from Rialto, but from the rest of the city. New housing here will enhance the whole area and in five years' time it will be a totally different place".
Mr Kenny said he believed the private housing would prove popular once Dublin City Council had worked on the area's "image problem". "You couldn't get a better location," he said.
"It's right beside LUAS, it's a very valuable site, so we will give the site to the private developer and in return he will build the social housing and the social facilities for us.
"The private sector is putting money into it so it will be less of a burden on the State sector, where funds are much more scarce than they were years ago".
Ms Dorothy Walker, a Fatima Mansions resident and a member of the local regeneration board, said: "It's a proud day, but it's very emotional".
She said the Fatima residents were happy to see the long-wished for begin. "They consulted with residents to see what we really wanted and we've been involved in the whole thing - we're fully involved. The physical plan is agreed and sorted, but a social plan for health, education, unemployment still has to be put in place".