“Unauthorised” Planning Status of Ryevale House In Leixlip Reason Why Uisce Eireann Won’t Upgrade Water Supply Connection

That’s according to an article in today’s Sunday Independent

Uisce Éireann has stated that the "unauthorised" planning status of a centre housing over 90 asylum seekers in Ryevale House in Leixlip is the reason it has opted not to upgrade the water supply connection. 

According to an article by Mark Tighe in today’s Sunday Independent, on Friday, Me Liberer, the company that owns Ryevale House, secured a High Court injunction against nine local residents accused of intimidating Uisce Éireann staff and obstructing efforts to upgrade the water supply.

Me Liberer, part of a network of companies providing emergency accommodation services to the State, claimed it is forced to pay €2,300 weekly to bring in fresh water by tanker for the 90 residents, due to the lack of a water upgrade.

In an ex-parte hearing, where only the company was represented, the High Court granted an order to prevent the nine Leixlip residents from interfering with Ryevale House or Uisce Éireann’s upgrade works.

Maria Seidner, group operations manager at Ryevale House, stated in an affidavit that one protester told a foreman that the works would not proceed unless the foreman was willing to hit the protester with "the bucket of his digger."

The Ryevale Lawns Residents Association (RLRA) argued that the "misinformation" presented to the High Court was evident, as five of the nine residents named were not even present at the alleged protest on March 4. "It is abundantly clear from what residents have told the association that no intimidatory behaviour can be attributed to them," the RLRA said.

The group also noted that their position was supported by a video of the interaction. They added that residents merely informed Uisce Éireann that Ryevale House, a protected structure once owned by Central Bank architect Sam Stephenson, is subject to planning enforcement. An Bord Pleanála ruled that the transformation of the house into a reception centre violated planning laws, a decision which Me Liberer is currently challenging in the High Court.

According to the Sunday Independent, Me Liberer has been paid in excess of €4m by the state for the use of Ryevale House since March 2023. In an affidavit, company director Ronan Holbrook said there is “significant public interest in the continued use of the house” for “vulnerable single women”.