Construction firm agrees to fix any fire protection defects at Belfast's Obel Tower
A construction firm has agreed to fix any fire protection defects at Ireland’s tallest residential building, the High Court heard on Thursday.
Counsel for O’Hare & McGovern confirmed it will carry out all necessary remedial work at the Obel Tower in Belfast.
The breakthrough came in a legal action against the company over issues with cladding at the city centre high-rise development.
Completed in 2011 at a cost of £60m, the Obel Tower includes 233 apartments and office accommodation.
It was later repossessed and eventually sold due to the bank debts of the developer, Donegall Quay Ltd.
Following the 2017 Grenfell Tower fire in London where 72 people died, the government required external wall safety (EWS1) surveys at high-rise buildings.
Issues were identified during those checks at the Obel complex in 2021.
Proceedings brought against O’Hare & McGovern by original developer Donegall Quay Ltd (in liquidation), Obel Management Ltd and Obel Ground Ltd alleged that urgent work was required to repair “life threatening” fire protection defects at the building.
At one stage concerns were raised that all apartments would have to be vacated if the work was not carried out before insurance cover was originally due to expire at the end of last month.
In court today a lawyer for the plaintiffs revealed that they were informed just before Christmas that the defendant has agreed to address any issues.
James Turner of the O’Reilly Stewart law firm said: “A letter… effectively sets out the notification that O’Hare & McGovern accept they are responsible and will carry out the remedial works, which is a huge step forward.”
Based on that pledge, insurance on the tower block has now been extended to March 31.
The court heard that a provisional tendering process for the repair project was carried out before the agreement was obtained.
Prices quoted from other contractors ranged from just over £600,000 to more than £2m.
Mr Turner also confirmed his clients will be seeking damages to cover the costs of security and the potential requirement for residents to leave their apartments while work is being carried out.
A statement of claim has been lodged to set out the alleged losses.
David Dunlop KC, for the building firm, told the court it has agreed to meet Employer’s Requirements identified by construction professionals in the case.
“The works comprise all necessary remedial works to make good the defects agreed by the parties respective experts,” he said.
“What O’Hare & McGovern essentially say is ‘We are going to do everything in the Employer’s Requirements, we are going to do what is agreed between the experts.”
Mr Dunlop added: “The defendant is accepting and is clearly saying that within the amended proposal it will do everything that is required.”
Adjourning the case to next month, Mr Justice Humphreys said: “Clearly it’s in everybody’s interests that O’Hare & McGovern do these works.
“It would be risky and potentially less than satisfactory for another contractor to do them.”
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