Council takes step forward on redevelopment of Raheny seniors complex, despite holdouts refusing to leave

The de-tenanting of a senior citizens complex in Raheny is facing a legal challenge, Dublin city councillors were told on Monday evening, at their September monthly meeting.

It was only supposed to be a discussion about the disposal of a site to the ESB at the complex in Saint Anne’s Court.

But People Before Profit councillor Conor Reddy got the ball rolling, saying he wanted it on the record that there are still people living in the complex.

They aren’t happy to move out yet, he said. “I know they have guarantees given to them that they will be relocated back into whatever new development happens at Saint Anne’s Court.”

But there needs to be “good faith” engagement with them, he said.

In May 2024, councillors gave planning permission to replace the complex with 102 one-bed homes.

However, while the council has slowly moved most of the tenants out, three have remained, saying their concern is that if they leave, the council might sell the new complex to a private developer or housing charity.

This conversation was just approving a new substation on the site, said Fianna Fáil councillor Deirdre Heney.

But the last remaining tenant in the complex has been made offers of alternative accommodation, she said. “Quite fine offers of alternative accommodation.”

A solicitor now seems to be involved, she said.

Labour Councillor Allison Field said there is only one individual left there, who has been offered some “amazing” places to live. “But they are afraid to leave where they are living.”

They have been met with a few times, she said. “But it is gone legal now.”

Fianna Fáil Councillor Daryl Barron said there is mediation locally, and that he has been led to believe the individual has received and declined 13 offers.

Two other individuals have accepted offers but won’t move until the final one is out, he said.

The complex was supposed to be de-tenanted last September, he said. “It’s now probably not going to be complete for 2028, 2029 at the earliest.”

But again, this was a conversation about the disposal of a small parcel of land for the ESB to build a substation, Darach O’Connor, the council’s executive manager said.

De-tenanting issues are happening in the background, he said. “Ultimately, it will leave us in a position to build a high-quality age-friendly scheme.”