Residents in Phibsborough complained to Fianna Fáil TD Robert Troy about “dangerous” conditions on a property he co-owns in Dublin, as well as rubbish dumping, The Irish Times has learned.
A number of residents have confirmed they raised concerns repeatedly with Mr Troy and co-owner John Noel McGivney, warning them that the walls of the site posed dangers to passersby and that certain parts were liable to collapse “at any minute”.
At one stage, residents threatened to report the pair to the dangerous building’s section in Dublin City Council if action was not taken. Others threatened to speak to the media on the understanding that this would be embarrassing for Mr Troy as a public representative.
Mr Troy resigned as Minister of State on Wednesday night amid growing scrutiny of his property interests.
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One resident said that rats could be seen coming out of rubbish bags outside the front of the Phibsborough property at a time when the Covid-19 pandemic was taking hold and that concerns were raised consistently with Mr Troy and Mr McGivney, culminating in a written request for action and eventually a meeting.
A copy of a letter written in October 2019 by the Rathdown Road and District Residents Association, seen by The Irish Times, warned about the “dangerous conditions of boundary walls of your property 25A Rathdown Road, both that to the pavement on Rathdown Road and that to the laneway off Rathdown Road”.
‘Crumbling’
The letter was sent directly to Mr Troy and Mr McGivney and had photographs attached.
“The wall to the Rathdown Road pavement is a retaining wall and is leaning significantly outwards. In addition, the hedge is growing wild and over-sails the boundary in a way that interferes with the use of the pavement. There is a possibility of passing pedestrians being injured by coming into contact with it.
“The wall to the laneway is constructed with breeze concrete and is seriously crumbling, particularly towards its base. It is in a dangerous condition and is likely to collapse at any minute. Buildings in this condition are not acceptable in our community.”
The residents requested that the pair take immediate action to rectify the situation.
“In the event of your failure to do so, we will have no option but to refer the matter to the dangerous building section of Dublin City Council.”
The Irish Times has spoken to several residents in the area who verified that other complaints were also made to Mr Troy about rubbish, dumping and site management issues at their property on 25a Rathdown Road. Many of the residents said that they felt that their requests for action were initially ignored.
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Several months after the letter was sent to Mr Troy and Mr McGivney, the former was contacted again and shortly after this a meeting with a handful of residents was held.
Some of the residents again voiced their complaints and told him that rubbish was overflowing outside the rented units and that the conditions were unacceptable. One resident said the possibility of going to the media was again discussed between the group at this time.
Another source said they felt there were attempts made to downplay the significance of the problems that had been emerging.
Development
It is understood the walls were repaired but some residents are voicing ongoing concerns about a development of new units attached to the property.
Mr Troy revealed last week, in a set of clarifications to his Register of Members’ interests, that he had sold the garden at 25a Rathdown Road in 2020. The site has previously been at the centre of a planning dispute. Local residents raised concerns about the development of two houses and an appeal was lodged with An Bord Pleanála, but an inspector ruled in favour of Mr McGivney.
Mr Troy and the Fianna Fáil press office were approached for comment, but declined.
