Sinn Féin Councillor Ciarán Ó Meachair has submitted an emergency motion demanding Dublin City Council take immediate action following the partial collapse of a house into the River Camac in Inchicore.

The motion will be heard by a meeting of the Dublin City Council South Central Area Committee next Wednesday, January 15.

The house located on Tyrconnell Street suffered serious damage after part of the Camac River wall collapsed on Friday January 3.

There are further concerns that if the problem worsens without urgent work from Dublin City Council it could affect additional homes in the area.

Cllr Ó Meachair, who represents the Inchicore area, said:

“I have tabled an Emergency Motion for this Wednesday’s South Central Area Committee meeting.

“What has happened to this couple is absolutely horrendous, and to see something that they have worked so hard for destroyed in this way is awful. The house, located on Tyrconnell Street, suffered serious damage after part of the Camac River wall collapsed on Friday 3 January.

“There is fear and confusion in the local area. Many other neighbours have contacted me fearing that their homes are now also under threat.

“I am calling on Dublin City Council to continue to engage with the family as a matter of urgency. I am encouraging all local councillors to support my motion and to work together to ensure this home is protected from any further damage. We need a plan and we need it now.

“I have called around to the house and seen the damage myself, it is just shocking that something like this which I understand was flagged as a problem years ago went unaddressed.

“The council has invested in flood alleviation works at a number of rivers around the city. But this is simply not enough. We now urgently need a proper investment at the Camac River to recover this home from destruction and to save neighbouring homes also.”

Text of Motion:

This Area Committee believes the situation facing residents on Tyrconnell Street in Inchicore, following the collapse of the Camac River wall at the back of houses on the street, needs to be addressed as a matter of urgency.

This Area Committee welcomes and appreciates the speed with which agencies, including Dublin City Council, have responded to the serious damage done to 15 Tyrconnell Street.

The Area Committee further notes the potential for further serious damage to other neighbouring homes and premises if the issues surrounding the River Camac are not resolved urgently and calls on Dublin City Council to be in regular communication with all residents whose homes could be affected.

This Area Committee calls for this issue to be treated by Dublin City Council with the utmost priority and calls on Dublin City Council Engineers to work proactively alongside colleagues in the OPW to ensure necessary works are completed within an agreed timeframe and this is communicated to the affected residents and other stakeholders.

Finally, this work plan is circulated to local councillors before next month’s meeting.