Donegal builder faces jail over fire safety

A Donegal builder is facing jail over his failure to comply with fire safety regulations at a Dublin 3 apartment block.
The High Court heard McGinley Construction Ltd is in contempt of an order relating to the basement car park at 55 to 58 East Road.
Today lawyers for Dublin City Council informed the court that McGinley Construction is in breach of an order prohibiting the use of a basement car park of an apartment complex in Dublin 3 until fire safety improvements were made.
The injunction followed fears by a senior member of Dublin Fire Brigade that the lives of dozens of inhabitants could be at risk in the event of a fire.
Recent inspections found cars along with some rubbish were still in the basement which co director Hugh McGinley insists is now closed.
Mr Justice Peter Charlton found the builder in comtempt of court and made an order committing to prison for 6 months noting ‘we’ve suffered in this country through lack of fire regulation’.
However the order won’t come into effect until October to give McGinley time to put the problem right.