Residents of Sheriff Street say goodbye to their former homes as the last of the flats come down.
The Sheriff Street flats in north inner city Dublin were comprised of St Laurence's Mansions, St Bridget's Gardens and Phil Shanahan House. The flats have been vacant for a number of years and used as film locations in the Jim Sheridan films 'In the Name of the Father’ and ‘The Boxer’.
Now the last eight of the 16 buildings in the flats complex are being demolished. Foreman Anthony O’Donnell explains the demolition work can be dangerous if is not done properly. He has no qualms about demolishing the once much loved homes,
It’s just a job to me, like I have to do it, like it’s a contract we have.
Former resident Janice Lawless took photographs of the flats before they were reduced to rubble,
It was very sad, extremely sad, like you were able to see the old coal boxes and the old wallpaper and all, it was very sad it was.
All of the Sheriff Street flat’s residents have been rehoused nearby. While some of them are happy to see the flats go, more would prefer to be back there again. Anne Grimes feels there is a very different atmosphere in the houses as they are less neighbourly than the flats,
It’s different now in the houses.
The flats are making way for the first major apartment scheme in the Dublin docklands since the Customs House Harbour complex was finished.
An RTÉ News report broadcast on 24 February 1998. The reporter is Carole Coleman.
