by Alan Jacques
Picture: Keith Wiseman
A RESIDENT of a mobile home that was gutted in a recent blaze at Longpavement halting site believes it was an accident waiting to happen.
Father of seven Cornelius Faulkner left his home to go for his afternoon walk shortly before the fire occurred on Saturday, January 2. The alarm was raised around 5.30pm with crews from Limerick City and County Fire and Rescue Service attending the scene.
Gardaí are investigating the incident and are currently awaiting the results of forensic and technical examinations to determine the cause of the fire.
However, Mr Faulkner is of the view that the fire at his home was caused by an electrical fault and told the Limerick Post that he had brought his fears to the council’s attention.
“All five caravans on the site were hooked up to the same electricity line. There’d be sparks flying from it. It was an accident waiting to happen,” he claimed.
“Myself and my daughter lived in that caravan. It was our home. Thank God we weren’t there because it would have been dead bodies they would have been taking out of it.
I am staying with my daughter at the minute, but I can’t stay there forever. I am homeless. The council offered me hostel accommodation but I don’t believe in that craic,” he added.
Mr Faulkner also says he has been pleading with the council for several years to relocate the families living on the site.
“I am here 23 years and my brother is here 26 years. The only one who has ever helped me is Willie O’Dea. He’s the best man in Limerick and the only one who ever listens to me.”
Deputy O’Dea confirmed that he has made several representations to the Council on behalf of the Faulkner family over the past number of years and is very familiar with the present situation. The Fianna Fail politician says he spoke with a member of staff at Limerick City and County Council in late December and has been advised that the Council is hoping to progress matters shortly.
The local authority said it was unable to comment on the cause of the fire as it is subject to an ongoing investigation by An Garda Síochána.
“Limerick City and County Council offered temporary accommodation to the affected residents but this offer was declined,” a spokesman explained.
