This article is from page 15 of the 2006-07-18 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 15 JPG
CLARE’S Chief Fire Officer has told a court that fire and safety at an Ennis apartment complex was inadequate, when an inspection took place last year.
Adrian Kelly was giving evidence in the case of eight people, charged under the Fire Services Act, arising out of an inspection of an apartment complex in Ennis last year.
Before Ennis District Court were Noel Connellan, Station Road, Ennis; Eleanor Brody, Park Avenue, Blackrock, Co Dublin; Desmond Houlihan, c/o Desmond Houlihan, Salthouse Lane, Ennis; De Lard Homes Ltd, Station Road, Ennis; Patrick Vaughan, Station Road, Ennis; Patrick and Catherine Beaty, Montree, Athlone, Co Westmeath; Mary Thyne, Merchant’s Square, Ennis; and Priorstown Ltd, Station Road, Ennis.
They are accused of failing to take all reasonable measures to guard against the outbreak of fire on the premises.
Solicitor for Clare County Council, Isobel O’Dea, said the case related to a fire at an apartment complex at Merchant’s Square, Ennis, on May 19, 2005.
Mr Kelly said the fire brigade was called to a fire on the first floor of the apartment complex. The fire was dealt with and he later inspected the building.
He told the court that “fire and safety seemed to be inadequate,” adding that the main issue was that one exit had been locked.
Mr Kelly said the property was inspected again in June of this year, adding, “all deficiencies had been sorted out. All was up to scratch again.”
The fire officer pointed out that there were 20 apartments in the block. The entrance was located on the ground floor and the apartments were located on the first and second floors.
Judge Joseph Mangan said he was declining jurisdiction in the case and adjourned it for two months, for preparation of the Book of Evidence.