Carrickmines fire: council says halting site talks ‘constructive’

Local authority officials have described ongoing talks with residents of a south Dublin housing estate over plans for an emergency halting site for the survivors of last weekend’s fatal fire are constructive.

A council spokesman said a face-to-face meeting with residents concluded at around midday on Thursday and contacts will continue over the coming days.

Many residents of Rockville Drive, Carrickmines, however, remain opposed to plans to place 15 Travellers in temporary accommodation in a field opposite their homes.

Those left homeless by the fire which claimed 10 lives - including five children - last Saturday morning are currently accommodated in hotels.

However, the council is keen to place them in temporary accommodation onthe one-acre site for six months while they complete work on a permanent site elsewhere.

A spokesman said they had given a commitment that the site would be “decommissioned” within six months.

Residents, however, say they were not adequately consulted over the plans and claim the quiet cul de sac is an inappropriate setting for a halting site.

Many have also expressed concerns over potential antisocial behaviour which they claim was linked to the halting site at the centre of the weekend fire.

These claims have been dismissed by local Traveller support groups.

A spokesman for the council said on Thursday afternoon:“All of us involved recognise the situation which exists and are working to both address the issues of concern, while recognising that there is a critical need to provide accommodation and a temporary home for the survivors of last week’s tragedy,” the council spokesman said.

“We are committed to using every resource available to us to address the concerns of local residents while working to ensure that a distraught family’s emergency accommodation needs arising from the tragedy at Glenamuck Road last week are addressed.”

In a circular delivered to Rockville Drive residents on Tuesday morning, the council’s director of housing and community Tom McHugh, said: “Following the tragic fire which took place on Saturday morning I am writing to advise you of the decision made by [THE]council . . . to provide a temporary, emergency halting site on the . . . lands at the end of Rockville Drive.”

He said “in view of the emergency nature of the housing needs of the families left homeless by the fire” the housing department was using emergency powers under the Housing Act to use the site.

Mr McHugh said a permanent site has also been identified and work on it, which is under way, would take eight months. The emergency site would accommodate four mobile homes and two service blocks with toilets and showers “together with boundary fencing”.

“In light of the particular circumstances I am asking for your understanding, assistance and co-operation,” said Mr McHugh.