A young Dublin couple are urging for emergency works to be carried out on the banks of the River Camac in Inchicore after the rear of their property collapsed into the river over the weekend.
Robert and Ellen Blehein moved into their home on Tyrconnell Street, Inchicore in 2021. Soon after, cracks began to appear in the walls of the house and they were advised by their engineer that the house was subsiding.
The couple, who got married less than three months ago, had the home surveyed by two engineers before buying it but no signs of subsidence were spotted. After cracks began to show, the couple said they had an engineer submit a report to Dublin City Council and the OPW regarding repair works that were needed to the river wall and the culvert behind their home.
Unfortunately, part of the River Camac wall collapsed last Friday and has caused “catastrophic” damage to the newlyweds’ property. They are unable to begin repairs and put structures in place to save the rest of their property until emergency repair works are completed to the public land where the river wall has collapsed.
Speaking to Dublin Live, Ellen said: “On Friday night we got a call from our neighbour to say he had basically felt an earthquake in his house next door and he looked out the window and basically saw that a massive portion of the back of our house fell into the river.
“We rushed home and we didn’t really know the damage at the time because it was dark but the next morning we realised how catastrophic it was. The entire back wall of our conservatory and then the back wall of our house is in the river.
Damage to Robert and Ellen Blehein’s home
“There is a massive part of the foundations that are now exposed.”
Ellen added that she believes that the culvert at the back of their house is going to collapse. “That is a public space on top and that is quite dangerous.
“We’ve seen kids play on top of that before. If that collapses, the entirety of Inchicore is going to flood. It has collapsed before over 10 years ago and all of our neighbours are very concerned at the minute because it’s very, very scary.”
Robert said they bought the house in 2021 based on two different surveys they received from structural engineers. “By 2022 and 2023, it was clear that there was some scouring by the river and some damage being done,” he said.
Debris of Robert and Ellen Blehein’s home in the River Camac
“We had an engineer do up a full report and send it to the OPW and Dublin City Council, so they’re aware of the imminent damage and the threat of further damage, that was all stated in the report.
“Nothing happened following that and here we are with the worst possible circumstance having come to pass.”
He added: “We want to do what we can to sure up the situation and secure the property that’s remaining and secure our home. But we can’t do that with the current dangerous situation that’s remaining with the river wall.
“Nobody in their right mind, no engineer is going to go and prop up our house or this conservatory with that damage remaining there and that risk. So we need the support.
Damage to Robert and Ellen Blehein’s home
“We need urgent action from DCC and we want to work with DCC and the OPW. Whatever it takes, whatever urgent action is necessary, we want to move and progress with that.”
A GoFundMe has been created by friends of the couple which can be viewed here.
A spokesperson for Dublin City Council told Dublin Live: “Engineers for Dublin City Council visited this site on Monday. 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.”
A spokesperson for the Office of Public Works told Dublin Live: “The Office of Public Works (OPW) was made aware on Monday 6th January of the matter referred to at Tyrconnell St, Inchicore. The OPW is aware that Dublin City Council is currently liaising with the affected property owners.
“In relation to any localised or urgent flood risk identified by Dublin City Council, it is open to the Council to apply for funding assistance through the Minor Flood Mitigation Works and Coastal Protection Scheme.”
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