A 72-bed Dublin inner city housing complex where young families live has become “over-run” by rats, and living residents in “fear of their lives,” they claim.
The Teeling Way complex, built around 20 years ago, located on East Road, in the East Wall area of the Capital, is run by Respond Housing Association, which provides housing for young families and older persons.
However, despite numerous calls, emails and meetings since late last year, residents claim “nothing has been done to sort out” the growing rat infestation.
Scores of rats have been caught by residents inside their homes, with Leon Macken, a spokesperson for younger families in the complex, revealing that, “one person found and killed nine rats inside their apartment in one day.”
Mr Macken explained, that he has killed numerous rats, which he found close to where his six-month-old baby was being cleaned and dressed.
“There are rat droppings everywhere nearly every morning we wake up in the apartment no matter how many rat traps we set and clean up after.
“Residents even hear the rats scuttling around inside the walls. This problem began about six months ago due to construction work of other apartments taking place next to complex. We have been notifying Respond since last October and the situation is just getting worse.
“Dozens of families will not let their children outside for fear of letting rats inside or that they might contract some disease from rat droppings. Residents are even barricading themselves into their homes out of fear. So many of the children are getting sick with asthma and respiratory complaints so far.”
Edel Grey, who has three young boys and is expecting her fourth child in two weeks time added that she is afraid of “picking up the deadly Weil’s Disease” and that she will not allow her “sons out to play in yard complex.
“We pay €12 per week for services and upkeep of the complex but nothing is being done about this major rat problem.”
Weil’s disease is a severe form of leptospirosis and is a type of bacterial infection. A person can contract it if they come into contact with the urine, blood, or tissue of animals or rodents that are infected with the bacteria. The disease can be fatal.
If the bacteria infects some specific organs, there may be a more severe reaction and these include liver, kidneys, lungs, heart and brain. This can lead to organ failure and death.
In a statement, Respond said: “Respond takes the health and safety of our tenants very seriously. We were made aware of complaints regarding the presence of rodents at Teeling Way development on Wednesday, 14th February.
“In response to these concerns, we engaged a professional vermin control contractor who conducted an initial site visit on Friday 16th and are on-site again today to continue addressing the issue.”
Respond explained that they are inspecting the estate, including all communal areas, to ensure that an appropriate number of controls are placed to effectively manage the rodent population.
They continued: “There is extensive construction activities surrounding Teeling Way and this may have contributed to the situation. We have communicated with the developer of the adjacent property, who has also implemented vermin control measures to help reduce the number of rodents in the area.”
The housing body said they are “committed to ensuring the well-being of tenants” and are hopeful that the actions taken will yield positive results in the coming days. “We will continue to monitor the situation closely and take any further steps necessary to maintain the safety and comfort of tenants at Teeling Way.
We thank tenants for their understanding and cooperation as we work to resolve this issue,” Respond added.
It is understood that Dublin City Council has requested Respond management to meet with them to discuss services at the complex.
Independent councillor and former Lord Mayor of Dublin Christy Burke explained that “the state of the complex is the worst he has ever seen in all the years I have served as a public representative.”
Cllr Burke continued: “Respond has received numerous complaints and they have yet to deal with this horrific situation. Rentokil (rodent exterminators) and representatives from Dublin City Council are expected to arrive at the complex on Monday to view conditions and try to deal with rat infestation.”
