Dublin Home Crumbling into River: Couple's Desperate Plea for Help
A young couple in Inchicore, Dublin, are facing a devastating situation as their home literally crumbles into the Camac River. Ellen Blehein (32) and her husband Robert (30) are heartbroken after their back garden wall collapsed, and now fear that part of their house will follow.
The couple purchased their home on Tyrconnell Street in early 2021, aware of the potential flood risk. However, two initial engineer reports didn't identify any issues with the approximately 2m high back wall. It wasn't until months later that cracks started appearing, both inside and outside their property.
Further inspections revealed a worrying truth: the house was tilting due to decay of the supporting river wall. The couple promptly informed Dublin City Council, providing the engineers' reports highlighting the growing instability.
The Conservatory's Imminent Collapse and the Couple's Plight
The situation escalated dramatically when the back garden wall completely collapsed into the river on Friday night, taking their patio and wastewater pipes with it. The impact left the Bleheins in a precarious situation.
The couple described the terrifying moment when they were awakened by their conservatory creaking at 1:30 am on Monday. Ellen said, “We had to leave the house last night because the conservatory is about to collapse into the river. Half of our house is condemned, we can’t live here, there’s no wastewater pipes. We don’t really have anywhere to go either, we can’t really go home to family. We had to use our neighbour’s bathroom and shower, we are absolutely devastated.” Their engineer has deemed the conservatory too dangerous to enter, and they've had to salvage what they could from the back of their home.
Council Response and the Search for Solutions
Dublin City Council officials from two different departments visited the site in recent days. However, the response has been disappointing for the couple. They've been informed that the matter will be passed to city engineers and that the council won't be repairing the river wall or its culvert.
Ms. Blehein expressed her profound disappointment and hoped that the local authority or the Office of Public Works would develop an immediate plan. She stressed, “We need to repair our house but we can’t do anything until they [the council] fix the river wall because no engineer will touch the house as it is because all of our foundations are being eaten away by the river.”
The council's response indicated that engineers had visited the site, but initial investigations suggest the collapsed wall isn’t their responsibility. A spokesperson said, “We will seek to establish ownership of the collapsed wall but our current understanding is that this is not in the ownership of Dublin City Council. Once we have established ownership of the river banks/riparian zone, we will seek the removal of any potential obstructions that may pose a flood risk. We may carry out works in the short term if these are required for public safety.” The Office of Public Works acknowledged the council's engagement with the homeowners, suggesting potential funding avenues for flood mitigation, but ultimately the responsibility seems to remain unclear.
Uncertainty and the Fight for Their Home
The Bleheins face a protracted and uncertain battle to save their home. They understand the need for repairs and are prepared to shoulder much of the financial burden. Their primary plea is for the council to take responsibility for the damaged river wall, a public infrastructure issue that underpins the structural integrity of their home. The couple are not seeking for the council to pay for everything; their plea is simply for the council to fulfill its responsibility in fixing the public area and to provide a timeline for these works.
The fear that their home may be completely lost hangs heavy over them. The couple hopes for swift action to prevent further damage and to secure their future in their cherished home.
Ms Blehein's voice reflects the anxiety and desperation of a couple facing the potential loss of their home and future. The situation is a stark reminder of the potential vulnerability of homeowners living near water bodies and underscores the necessity for clear lines of responsibility and effective mechanisms for dealing with infrastructure failures that threaten private property.
The ongoing uncertainty emphasizes the urgent need for decisive action from the relevant authorities to avoid further devastation for the homeowners and to prevent similar situations in the future. The story serves as a strong call for improved infrastructure maintenance, clarified ownership responsibilities near water bodies, and robust support systems for homeowners facing such crises. This situation highlights the precarious position of individuals when public infrastructure failures directly threaten their homes and livelihoods.
