Grenfell Tower Fire - Could it happen in Ireland:
James O' Toole
Workplace Education Coordinator at DDLETB Balbriggan & Swords Adult Education Services
Grenfell Tower Fire:
Reflecting this morning on the aftermath of the Grenfell Tower Fire and the devastating loss of life with still many people unaccounted for the total loss of life could reach well over one hundred.
It is hard to imagine the suffering of parents, grandparents, brothers, sisters this morning who have lost a loved one and for those who are waiting for bodies to be identified.
There would appear little doubt that throughout the boom years in Ireland many apartment blocks have been build with a blind eye being turned to building and fire regulations and that being the case then it follows that many responsible persons who were in charge of making sure that all compliance's were adhered to did not carry out their duties/responsibilities correctly.
Stories have been circulating for years in relation to the very poor built quality of apartments for example "No Fire Walls" "Sprinkler Systems not installed correctly" "Emergency lighting installed but not working" and so on. Have reports being carried over the last number of years on the build quality of apartments that have yet to be published is it possible that these reports are sitting on some Government officials or Ministers desk or have they been put under the carpet.
Housing Minister Eoghan Murphy has met with Dublin's chief fire Officer this week and hopefully immediate action will be taken on the inspection of all apartment blocks. Is it possible that our housing crisis has resulted in delayed or no action being taken by our Government in the recent past to inspect apartments blocks to put it bluntly if apartment blocks are deemed unsafe and have to be evacuated where do the tenants find alternative accommodation.
Could we have a Glenfell Tower disaster here in Dubin, Cork, Galway lurking around the corner. I would advise all tenants of all apartment blocks to consult with their management teams and seek assurances that their building meets all current building and fire regulations, and if they are not happy or have any doubts at all they should obtain independent advice.
Hopefully Minister Eoghan Murphy will get answers and put in train the necessary steps to make all apartment blocks safe and fit for purpose.
James O' Toole