Cork City Council declines request to reveal cost of site security for housing developments

Cork City Council has said it would be inappropriate to reveal the cost of security for housing developments in Hollyhill, which was brought in after they were warned it was “vulnerable to attack”.

Construction had to be paused when the contractor went into liquidation. A new contactor has been appointed, and some of the homes are set to be built by this summer.

The Hollywood Drive plan includes the construction of seven two-bed units, the demolition of existing boundary walls, construction of a new boundary wall and access road, as well as car parking, footpaths, and boundary treatments.

At yesterday’s council meeting, Sinn Féin councillor Kenneth Collins asked for an update on the tender for the completion of homes at Hollywood Drive and Bramble Cottages, the date that security was contracted for Hollywood Drive, the cost of this security, who is paying for it, and when these homes will be completed.

The council’s assistant chief executive Brian Geaney told him: “Following the unfortunate liquidation of its original contractor, the council was required, in accordance with standard procedures for public contracts, to take immediate steps to safeguard public assets valued at just under €3m.

“Under the terms of the initial contract, the council has access to an insurance bond and a significant retention fund which it holds in trust, both of which provide financial coverage that far exceeds the council’s security expenditure.”

Submission

Mr Geaney said this expenditure will be included in the council’s submission to the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, the project’s funding authority, and will be “easily offset by credits from the bond and retention fund, as per the process”.

“Securing the site of a publicly-funded housing scheme is both a prudent and necessary action, and aligns with established contractual norms in situations where a contractor enters liquidation.

“Separately, the council has completed the procurement process for the outstanding work at Hollywood Drive and Bramble Cottages, and a new contract has been awarded. The homes at Hollywood Drive are scheduled for completion in June 2026.”

He said it would “not be appropriate to make public comment on final project costs, including security, until all matters have been taken into account and finalised between the council, bondsman, and the appointed liquidator.”

Mr Collins asked about the completion date for Bramble Cottages, and was told that it was early 2027. He also asked why the cost of security could not be disclosed, saying: “There’s security there for the last 10 months at this stage.”

Mr Geaney said: “We’re protecting a housing scheme. Unfortunately, the contractor went into liquidation. It was raised with the local office that the scheme was vulnerable to attack. If it was damaged and the scheme was burnt down, would you be asking why we didn’t protect the scheme? We appear to be damned if we do, and damned if we don’t.”