THE bodies of two old people have gone undiscovered for days after their deaths in Dublin Corporation sheltered accommodation since Christmas. The City Manager, however, has rejected a plea by residents of one sheltered accommodation scheme for the return of resident wardens.
Most resident wardens have been replaced by community wardens who each have to deal with at least 150 people spread among three different complexes. Some complexes have no warden service nor are they linked to the corporation's central alarm system, a spokesman confirmed.
The most recent incident was the discovery of the body of Jack Coates (75), at Convent View Crescent, Cabra. He was found on April 10th after he had failed to collect his pension. Dublin Corporation said he had last been seen alive by a community warden about two weeks previously. At Christmas, the body of James Clarke was found at Clareville Court, Glasnevin, some days after he died.
A demand for the return of resident wardens has been made to the corporation by St Helena's Senior Citizens Voluntary Committee on behalf of residents there.
Mr John Fitzgerald, the City Manager, rejected its demand. "It is the policy of Dublin Corporation that where vacancies arise in schemes serviced heretofore by resident wardens, that a community warden takes over," he told the Lord Mayor, Mr Brendan Lynch, in a letter. "This warden is obliged to visit the complex on a daily basis liaise closely with the residents ensure everything's in orders"