There could be some respite for Dublin’s homeless families as Dublin City Council have revealed their intentions to purchase Lynam’s Hotel on O’Connell Street so that it could become a dedicated accommodation facility for the homeless.
The news comes after the city council approached NAMA to purchase the building outright. However their efforts may still be in vain as reports suggest five homeless families could still be evicted by the end of next month.
The eviction notice was served recently after a dispute erupted between Nama-appointed receiver Aidan Murphy of Crowe Horwath and the hotel operator, Theresa Andreucetti.
The hotel, which is currently taking bookings, is located near the Spire on Upper O’Connell Street, was due to be vacated by August 1st but the deadline was extended until the end of the month to allow prior bookings to be honoured, and accommodation to be found for the homeless families.
Although as a receiver, Mr Murphy is thought to have the legal right to sell the property at its market value. However, it is understood that Nama have informed the council, and the Minister for Housing Simon Coveney, that they are willing to facilitate the sale of Lynam’s to the city council for use by the Dublin Region Homeless Executive.