Priory Hall appeal adjourned to allow for mediation

AN APPEAL by Dublin City Council over a High Court order evacuating the Priory Hall apartments in Dublin was adjourned today to allow a mediation process continue.

The Supreme Court was due to hear an appeal today by the council related to the October 2011 evacuation order which has seen 41 families houses in temporary accommodation at a total cost to the local authority so far of nearly €3 million.

The council sought clarification from the Supreme Court as to the scope of its functions under the Fire Services Act, which was used to apply for the evacuation because of potential fire hazard in the apartment complex.

Today, after hearing from counsel for the local authority and the residents, the five-judge Supreme Court agreed to adjourn the matter until October 15.

The court heard a mediation process, under the chairmanship of retired Supreme Court judge Joseph Finnegan, was still ongoing and the city council has guaranteed to continue providing housing for the residents until next November.

In view of this, Chief Justice Susan Denham said the court would adjourn the matter.

A number of residents were in court for today’s appeal.