Dublin People - Site owner baffled following boy’s fall

Home

News

Features

Site owner baffled following boy’s fall

Thursday, 08 May 2008

THE owner of a site where a young boy fell through the roof of a disused paint factory insisted he had done everything he could to secure the premises.
Dublin Fire Birgade was alerted to the incident and the boy was rushed to hospital where he was treated for head injuries.
Tom Flood, owner of the site, told Northside People his thoughts were with the young boy and his family after the dreadful fall.
Mr Flood said he spent all last Thursday (May 1) at the site on Railway Avenue trying to piece together what had happened.
"Firstly, I would like to say that I am a father of two children who are 12 and 13-years-old, and I would never want anything like this to happen to anyone's child," Mr Flood stated.
"But I do find it hard to believe how the young lad managed to climb right up onto this old factory because I don't think many adults would have been able to manage it."
Mr Flood said the site, which is the subject of a current planning application with Fingal County Council, is secured by a padlock on a gate and has had manned security for the past five weeks.
As part of his application, Mr Flood intends to demolish two factory units, including the paint factory, and develop a new residential scheme including 82 apartments in three, five and eight-storey blocks.
An old engine house at the site, which is a protected structure, is also to be modified to provide residential accommodation.
However, Mr Flood said it has been difficult to stop the buildings from being vandalised.
"There isn't one pane of glass left to one of the properties," he declared.
"There has been a lot of damage done to the buildings on the site, which is why we have had somebody there every day since the planning application was lodged."
However, Mr Flood said it was unfortunate that the security man had gone home by the time the boy fell through the roof.
"Although if anyone had seen him up there on the roof, I'm not sure if they would have been able to get up to him,” he added.
"My heart goes out to his family because the last thing you want to see as a parent is your child being rushed to hospital.”
Meanwhile, Dublin North East TD Terence Flanagan (FG) said he was saddened to hear of the incident.
"My thoughts are with the boy’s family and friends and I pray that he will make a full and speedy recovery,” stated Deputy Flanagan.

Decision time looms for Olympic hero

Thursday, 27 November 2008

The Clondalkin champion must decide on weather to remain an amateur or to take a risk and join the ranks of the professionals. Just back from a trip to Madison Square Gardens to view the Joe...
+ Full Story

Successful fundraiser held in Laura’s memory

Thursday, 27 November 2008

Laura Brennan, daughter of Pat and Nuala Brennan, died after a short illness on April 4. Laura was a beautiful and bright young girl with aspirations of becoming a primary school...
+ Full Story

Local radio station to air documentary on famine heroes

Tuesday, 18 November 2008

During school history classes, most people have learned about the acts of charity done by the Quakers - also known as the Society of Friends – during the famine that lasted from 1845 until...
+ Full Story

Photographers showcase unforgettable moments

Tuesday, 18 November 2008

'Beyond the Moment: Irish Photojournalism of Our Time', a commemoration of 16 years of Irish life, published by the Press Photographers’ Association of Ireland (PPAI) in association with the...
+ Full Story