Dangerous property with dozens of suspected squatters described as 'another stardust' in waiting – The Irish Times

A lawyer representing a landlord seeking to evict more than two dozen suspected squatters from his Dublin property has told the court the situation could be “on the level of another Stardust” if a fire occurs.

Attorney Joe Jackson made the comment while telling the Circuit Civil Court that a group of 29 people, including 15 or more children, were living in what was described as a very dangerous building. The property is divided into 10 apartments.

When Judge Sinead Ni Chulachain adjourned proceedings until Friday to allow the defendants in court, from Romania, to find a lawyer, Mr Jackson said they should keep their fingers crossed that nothing happened between -time.

The judge said she had read the case documents but that people residing at the property, who had appeared to challenge an injunction from the landlord to evict them from its premises, were entitled to time to find representation legal.

In an affidavit describing his situation, owner Mel Kilrane, a retired solicitor of Henry Street, Bailieborough, Co Cavan, said he bought the property at 9 Belvedere Place in 2009 and had 10 premises to let in the building.

He told the court that the people staying there had no right of occupancy and were entering without permission after entering through illegal means.

Mr Kilrane said he was asked by Dublin City Council to remove harmful waste from the building but workers were forcibly prevented from entering the premises.

“There is an imminent danger of serious injury or death from fire to the defendants, including children,” Mr. Kilrane said in a sworn statement.

He also said there was also a serious health risk to everyone involved because they were allowing human feces to accumulate on the property.