Demolition of flats on Noonan’s Rd to begin as residents wait for transfers

While local representatives have welcomed news that demolition work is soon to begin on controversial 60-year old Cork City Council flats, remaining residents say they are still waiting on transfers.

A senior council source said the demolition of blocks two and four of the Noonan’s Rd flats should be completed by early autumn, with the remaining two blocks to be knocked by year’s end.

Of the 60 flats, which have for decades been prone to crumbling masonry, damp, mould, and rodent infestation, all but a dozen are now vacated.

Two years ago, a residents' campaign — led by housing activist William O’Brien and highlighted in The Echo — resulted in the then Cork City Council chief executive, Ann Doherty, describing living conditions in the flats as “shocking”.

In September 2023, tenants on Noonan’s Rd, St Finbarr’s Rd, Fort St and Dean St were told the council favoured rehousing tenants, demolishing the dilapidated blocks, and redeveloping the sites.

Block two of the Noonan’s Rd flats is now completely empty, but two flats in block four are still occupied and the tenants claim they have not been informed by the council that their homes will soon be demolished.

Several other tenants criticised the council for what they said was its slow pace in moving them to new homes.

Two of the flats are privately owned, and while neither is located in the blocks earmarked for initial demolition, it is understood that the council is still in negotiations with the respective owners.

On St Finbarr’s Rd, 12 of the 24 flats are shuttered, while the flats on Fort St and Dean St remain mostly occupied.

The Lord Mayor of Cork, Fianna Fáil councillor Fergal Dennehy, said he was “absolutely delighted” to see progress on Noonan’s Rd.

“In an age where people should be able to expect a certain standard of living and a certain standard of housing, it was very obvious that those buildings were no longer suitable for habitation,” Mr Dennehy said.

“There are many more around the city, particularly in my own area, Togher Rd, Clashduv Rd, Cherry Tree Rd, and others, that I think we need to look at as well.” 

 Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire, Sinn Féin TD for Cork South Central, welcomed movement on Noonan’s Rd and said blocks left vacant for protracted periods would have caused problems.

“We need assurance from the council now that any development will include Fort St, Dean St and St Finbarr’s Rd, the whole area needs regeneration, so the future needs to include social and affordable housing, as well as older people and people who need supported living,” he said.

Seán Martin, Fianna Fáil councillor in the Cork city south-central ward, said it was important to continue to push ahead with the redevelopment of Noonan’s Rd.

“It’s a prime location for Cork city and it’s important that we drive on with this project.

“My preference for the site would be that we have a mixture of affordable and social housing, and also housing for people with disabilities,” Mr Martin said.

“I think it’s really important that we get this right, because this has the potential to be a very significant development for our city.” 

Cork City Council was asked for comment.