Residents 'terrified' as squatters move into empty Cork city flat

Some of the last remaining tenants in social housing flats on Noonan’s Road have called on Cork City Council to properly secure vacant properties in the area, saying they are “terrified” since squatters have moved into one empty flat.

Several tenants said a group of people had broken into one of the vacant council properties last weekend and had attempted to gain access to a number of other flats.

The issue of security in the vacant flats was previously raised in November by former lord mayor of Cork Mick Finn, who was then running as an Independent candidate in the general election.

Mr Finn said this week that councillors and officials needed to move on with redevelopment proposals.

“That there is squatting in the flats is no great surprise and it needs to be sorted by Cork City Council,” he said.

“There is a distinct lack of urgency on this, which is not fair to the residents still living there in between the abandoned, boarded-up units.” 

One local, speaking anonymously, said: “One of the residents called the guards and they came up and visited the flat but said there was very little they could do, only refer the matter to the council."

Another resident said there was a real fear that fire might break out in one of the vacant flats.

“When the guards came up there was a blazing fire going in the fireplace. That fireplace hadn’t been used in years, nor the chimney cleaned in years. The whole place could go up,” they said.

They also claimed that although the previous tenant had said they had cancelled their electricity, there was still power in the flat and when gardaí had called there was “a pot of stew on and messages in the fridge”.

A spokesperson for Cork City Council said that, “where appropriate”, it securely shutters vacant units.

“The council has inspected the Noonan’s Road development, and is undertaking a security review,” they said.

“Any shuttering deemed necessary will be undertaken, as well as ongoing monitoring in the coming weeks, with any additional security measures being taken as appropriate.

“As always, residents are advised to contact the council’s customer service unit to report any matters of concern.”

A spokesperson said An Garda Síochána “does not comment on statements provided by third parties”.

In September of 2023, council tenants on Noonan’s Road, St Finbarr’s Road, Fort Street and Dean Street were told by Cork City Council that it favours rehousing tenants, demolishing the dilapidated blocks, and redeveloping the sites.

Now, there are approximately 30 tenants left in the 90-odd Noonan’s Rd and St Finbarr’s Rd flats, while the 38 flats on Fort St and Dean St remain mostly occupied.

Several residents said they were calling on Cork City Council to fully secure all the vacant properties on Noonan’s Road.

“In all the years I’m living here, I was never afraid before, but now with so many empty flats around, I’m terrified at the thought of people trying to break in,” one tenant said.