Residents of Longford estate sue after explosion

Twenty residents of the Gleann Riada housing estate in Longford town are suing for damages following an explosion at a house in the estate alleged to have been most likely due to a build up of methane or sewer gas.

Gleann Riada, Strokestown Road, is a private estate now partly controlled by the National Assets Management Agency where 300 people live in about 70 houses and apartments.

The HSE and Longford County Council have been monitoring gas levels there since a suspected gas explosion occurred at one house in March 2012 and some residents were advised gas levels at their properties were unsafe.

The Council, which is among several parties being sued by residents, yesterday asked the Master of the High Court to dismiss the case against it due to failure of the plaintiffs to deliver statements of claim within the times set by court rules.

Stephen O’Sullivan BL, for the residents, said they needed more time to formalise their claims as works which would enable them crystallise their losses had not concluded. They also required an architect’s report and may bring claims for distress and inconvenience, he indicated.

The barrister for the Council, said, as a planning authority, it did not have a duty to monitor building works. While the Council appreciated the residents’ difficulties, the Master was effectively being asked to sanction an “indeterminate delay”.

Master Edward Honohan said he would give Martina Conboy, chairwoman of the Gleann Riada residents’ association, five more weeks to deliver a statement of claim in her case and adjourn to October the Council’s application to strike out some 17 other cases.

Two other parties who had sued were consenting to have their actions struck out with no order, he was told.