Meath Sinn Fein Cllr Joe Reilly has responded to the decision taken by the Meath County Council Fire Office to have 10 apartments evacuated on the top floor of Kentswood Court complex in Johnstown Navan.

Councillor Reilly said: "The decision by the County Fire Officer to instruct the closure of 10 the apartments on grounds of fire safety by December 1st is to be welcomed.

"I also welcome the decision by the appointed receiver to the company to contact the fire service and have the necessary safety concerns addressed in order for the complex to receive a fire safety certificate.

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"The work of the letting agency is also to be complimented in the manner in which they have handled to need to relocate the tenants.

"This complex when first constructed went unoccupied for a considerable period of time. It is my understanding that a fire safety certificate was applied for in 2006 but the Council had asked for more information from the applicant. However, no more information was received.

"The decision to close 10 apartments after years of occupation raises a number of serious questions regarding proper safety in the building.

"Did the complex ever have a fire clearance certificate?

"Was it ever inspected by the fire safety officer before the recent inspection?

"What building control inspections, if any, took place during the construction and prior to being occupied?

"Why was the safety of residents put in jeopardy over the last number of years?

"The complex houses a number of families. The safety of these families was put at risk over a considerable number of years. This could have had a catastrophic outcome."

(CD/MH)