Albatros safe demolition is a matter of urgency

Following on from the severe damage caused to the old albatros factory and the surrounding area in a recent storm, New Ross Sinn Féin has called for plans to safely demolish the abandoned complex to be moved forward.  At a meeting of the local branch last night it was stressed that this was an issue of public safety and members admitted that they were shocked and angry that the local council had allowed no action to be taken up until now.

The old Albatros factory demolition was due to be completed in three to five years by the owners of the site, Thomas McDonagh & Son.  Recent storms have caused huge damage to the site and led to debris being scattered across the locality.  Not only was flying debris a threat to public safety, but the material itself is the highly dangerous asbestos. 

The executive of New Ross Sinn Féin commended local council workers for cleaning up the area but stated that it was completely unfair that the people of New Ross have to live under these conditions.  They posed the obvious question, how long before another storm causes more asbestos to be blown throughout the area, onto public roads and into people’s gardens?

McDonagh & Sons stated last year that the site posed ‘no health, safety or public risk.’ Clearly this is not the case and the given timescale for the demolition of this old factory can no longer be accepted by the local council.  Local Sinn Féin is moving to have this issue raised in the Dail next week to ensure that emergency safe demolition of the albatros complex is prioritised.