‘Everything is destroyed’ — elderly residents complain of ‘unbearable’ noise and dust from building works

Work on a 276-bed student housing complex on the former Kennedy Bakery site on Parnell Street, is taking place just 15 feet away from residents living in 10 apartments in Temple House.

“Most of us here, we are not young. Our windows are manky from the dust, you could write your name on them,” said Margaret McCarthy (64), who has lived in her apartment for 15 years.

She added that a number of the elderly residents suffer from breathing issues and are hesitant to open their windows amid fears of dust collecting in their homes.

Paddy Harris (76) suffers from Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) that causes breathing difficulties and said the dust has “inflamed” it.

Paddy, who lives in a ground floor apartment with his wife Bridget (74), said when the drilling on the site starts, “we can feel the vibrations”.

He said “everything is destroyed”, pointing to the dust on the windowsills.

Charlie Gillard (79), who has lived in his apartment with his wife for the past 53 years, said the lorries are “damaging the laneway”.

“The main problem is that there were no objections with Dublin County Council. We don’t know what’s next,” said Charlie.

Residents say they have tried to initiate a meeting with the construction company, however, “they don’t communicate with us”.

“They don’t tell us what is going on and it’s very hard to get a meeting with them,” Margaret said.

“You can’t open the window. We are stuck inside. Your telly has to be up real high because you can’t hear it. In one hour you could have eight lorries come up this lane and it is filthy dirty.”

Construction on the site, which starts at 8am and finishes at 5pm, is being carried out by Henry Construction on behalf of SP Bakery LTD.

Mick O’Regan, site manager, said there are three noise monitors on the site and the noise levels are “fully compliant” with Dublin City Council regulations.

“There are three noise monitors on site. We have to comply with our construction management plan and that has been reviewed and accepted by the council,” he said.

Mr O’Regan added that staff from Dublin City Council are checking the site regularly amid complaints from residents.