That’s according to Aontú Cllr Ellen Troy who says that she is absolutely “Exasperated that a year and a half on from raising this issue, three houses in Fortlawn in Blanchardstown that were damaged by fire in March 2024 are still boarded up’
She says
“This is just beyond belief at this stage. It would be hard to stomach at any time but we’re in the middle of a housing crisis, the worst we have ever experienced in this country. I am absolutely appalled by this lack of urgency. Not only appalled but amazed. For God’s sake it’s not the Taj Mahal they’re refurbishing; they are homes for people who desperately need them so what on earth is causing this unacceptable delay
I have repeatedly asked Fingal Co Co to update me on its progress, to carry out an audit on all empty council homes in Dublin West and have done my utmost to keep up the pressure but still these houses remain idle while families are going through the nightmare of living in emergency accommodation, in hotels or in other places.
“To make this even worse, there are five more nearby empty and we’re in a housing emergency…I cannot understand how it could possibly take so long. Yes, renovations and retrofitting take time—but a year and a half is nothing short of disgraceful. If these were privately owned houses, they would be turned around in weeks. Delays like this would simply never happen; it wouldn’t make economic sense. However, when it comes to public housing, common sense and urgency goes out the window.”
What I would also like to know is how much is the Council shelling out on refurbishing these houses. How much is it paying those who are undertaking the work and how much is it spending to accommodate the people who should be living in them?
We’re not just talking about buildings—we’re talking about potential homes for real people in crisis; families are living in hotel rooms, and people are sleeping on our streets. It’s inexcusable.”
The situation in Blanchardstown is terribly unfair, both to the homeless and to the locals living there as it’s no fun living next to boarded up houses. It’s soul destroying for those who need a home and dismal for people who live there.
“One local man told me he’s embarrassed when visitors come to his house. He’s afraid they’ll judge the area, even though it’s a lovely place to live. One house near him has been empty for well over a year now, even though it’s fully ready for occupancy—because its former occupant passed away.”
The housing crisis is an absolute stain on our country and one that is going to cause huge societal issues down the line. People are traumatised by their experiences of being homeless and this is going to come back to bite in years to come”.
I am not going to rest on this issue. Fingal Co Co has an absolute duty to get cracking and carry out its remit. Homeless people deserve no less”.
