Six unsafe houses are finally torn down in Kanturk estate
KANTURK RESIDENTS ARE HAPPY TO SEE UNSAFE HOUSES DEMOLISHED BUT LEFT WONDERING WHY VALUABLE MATERIALS WEREN’T RECYCLED
IT was down to business at Dun an Oir estate in Kanturk on Monday as bulldozers moved in to knock six unoccupied three-storey houses at Oakridge.
However, there were some surprises as residents and local people looked on as nothing was salvaged or removed from the six unoccupied houses prior to demolition. Potentially recyclable, and valuable, materials such as the slates, windows, sanitary ware, kitchens, doors or any internal fixtures or fittings were all destroyed. The bulldozers simply moved in and got down to work.
The houses are at the front of the estate and have been a major bone of contention for residents in the estate for many years.
According to an engineer’s report, the houses were structurally unsound and major cracks which were visible on the gable walls.
On Monday, Smith Demolition, who are based in Limerick, were on site as on-lookers took photographs and videos as the demolition began.
The houses were built around 11 years ago and it is hoped that the demolition works will be completed over the next week. It is also understood that concrete from the site will be crushed and used to fill holes which are causing subsidence.
Last July, Cork County Council finally managed to get the receiver and insurance bondholder to seal off the six unoccupied houses. It is understood that the bond released by AIB is to the tune of €150,000. The developer has since gone out of business. It certainly wasn’t an easy time for the residents at the estate, either, who were at their wits end trying to sort out situation as they had to look at houses which were crumbling before their eyes. Residents also believe that there should be far more stringent structural checks on any new homes before they go under the hammer.