Desmond’s works go on despite Covid lockdown
Two dozen construction workers seen accessing Dublin site
CONSTRUCTION workers were busy last week at one of Dublin’s most high-profile addresses on a site linked to billionaire Dermot Desmond — despite Covid-19 restrictions closing numerous building sites across the country.
Work at 24 Shrewsbury Road, where the house formerly known as Walford once stood, meant it was one of Ireland’s few operational building sites.
In 2016, Celtic Trustees Ltd, an Isle of Man-based trust set up by Desmond (right) for the benefit of his children, bought Walford, in Ballsbridge, for €14.25m.
Last week, the Sunday Independent saw construction work continuing at the site and around 25 workmen entering it.
Some building work has been allowed to continue during lockdown, mostly covering “essential projects” as set out by the Government in a Statutory Instrument signed on January 7.
The Sunday Independent asked Mr Desmond on what basis the work was being carried out at the property. He did not respond.
CONSTRUCTION workers were busy last week at one of Dublin’s most high-profile addresses on a site owned by a trust linked to billionaire Dermot Desmond, despite Covid-19 restrictions closing numerous building sites across Ireland.
The work on 24 Shrewsbury Road, where the house formerly known as Walford stood, meant it was one of Ireland’s few operational construction sites last week.
All but essential building projects have been shuttered due to the restrictions.
Walford was once the most expensive house in Ireland, selling for €58m in 2005 to developer Sean Dunne. In 2016, the property was bought for €14.25m by Celtic Trustees Ltd, an Isle of Man-based trust set up by Mr Desmond for the benefit of his children.
Celtic Trustees got permission to demolish Walford in 2018. It is in the process of developing a 1,595 squaremetre mansion on the site.
The four-bedroomed, two-storey over basement property will also feature a lift, gym suite and large indoor swimming pool.
Early last week, the Sunday Independent observed construction work continuing at the site in Ballsbridge.
Around two dozen individuals, many dressed in hard hats, high-vis vests and carrying tools, were seen entering the area.
Several vans emblazoned with various contractor names, including Tusker Construction Group, drove into the site.
One large van entered carrying a load of scaffolding equipment.
From the road, the sounds of an active construction site could be heard.
Workers were seen on scaffolding near the roof of one of the buildings.
A crane was also seen operating, moving a piece of heavy equipment around the site.
A well-informed person with knowledge of the project said there were at least six months of work left at 24 Shrewsbury Road.
Work continued despite many development projects across the country grinding to a halt.
Some projects have been allowed to continue due to exemptions, mostly covering “essential projects”.
On January 6, Housing Minister Darragh O’Brien confirmed a shutdown in construction activity, with limited exemptions, as part of the national effort to halt the spread of Covid-19.
The Statutory Instrument signed by Health Minister Stephen Donnelly on January 7 provided the legal basis for new restrictions.
It lists the various exemptions to the shutdown, which came into effect from 6pm the following day.
Among the exemptions are the construction of essential health projects, education buildings and social housing projects that are within eight weeks from completion.
It included an exemption for essential or emergency repair and maintenance work such as roofing, plumbing and electrical work at businesses or residences on an emergency call-out basis.
An exemption that allowed ongoing housing construction and completion work scheduled to be finished allowing occupation by January 31 was also included.
On January 6, the Construction Industry Federation said in a note regarding the restrictions that it “is advisable that sites of projects shutting down are secured; where required, staff can maintain sites during the lockdown”.
The Sunday Independent asked Mr Desmond and Tusker to confirm on what basis the work at 24 Shrewsbury Road was being carried out under the current regulations. Both failed to respond.
In response to a question on general ongoing works across Ireland, a spokesman from the Department of Housing said temporary restrictions were implemented earlier this year as an amendment in the Health Act 1947.
These amendments set out what currently can be deemed as essential work in construction.
“Non-essential works should not be taking place,” the spokesman said.
Last Friday, the Sunday Independent went to 24 Shrewsbury Road following queries addressed earlier in the week to the contractor and Mr Desmond.
No workers could be seen or heard on the building site, while there were no contractor vans parked on the road at that time.
‘A source said there were at least six months of work left’