Timberyard Residents Vow to Fight On for Better Housing

28/08/10

éirígí local area representative Damien Ó Fearail and Dublin South Central chairperson Bas Curraoin met with residents of the Timberyard development in Dublin on Wednesday [August 25].

The meeting was a follow up to a protest held by residents outside of City Hall in June this year. Approximately 50 residents, supported by éirígí activists, protested on that occasion in an attempt to gain all party support for a motion put forward by éirígí councillor Louise Minihan for better housing.

The Timberyard development is only a year old and, already, most residents have been experiencing multiple problems some which are specific and others which affect them collectively. Residents have consistently registered their complaints with Dublin City Council Local Area Housing Office on an individual basis and collectively through representations made on their behalf by their residents’ committee. Minihan also made several representations on the residents’ behalf through city managers questions, culminating with the motion to the council on June 14.

Speaking after Wednesday’s meeting, Ó Fearail noted: “It was particularly disappointing that the Labour Party did not support the motion in June, despite the fact that all party leaders on the council had been circulated with the motion in advance of the meeting.”

Residents expressed their dismay and anger at the refusal of Dublin City Council to address their plight but vowed to continue their fight to have their housing needs recognised.

Minihan will again raise the relevant issues with Dublin City Council officials in advance of the handover of the development from the building contractor to Dublin City Council.

“éirígí will continue to support the residents of the Timberyard in their campaign for better housing,” said Minihan.

“Most of these residents left other sub-standard dwellings on the promise of a better future and if formal representations cannot deliver an outcome satisfactory to these residents collectively, éirígí will not hesitate to support and join these residents on the streets once again.”