THE SUPREME COURT questioned why Dublin City Council pushed ahead this week with an appeal to reverse an order compelling it to pay for the accommodation costs of 256 displaced Priory Hall residents.

The five-judge panel were surprised at the development on Thursday given there is an ongoing mediation process between both sides and the lenders.

For that reason, no decision on whether the local authority should cover the housing costs indefinitely was delivered. Instead, the matter was adjourned until 15 October.

This leaves the residents in limbo, according to spokesperson Graham Usher.

As the debacle continues, the Donaghmede complex – which has been deemed a fire safety hazard – deteriorates even further. At this stage last year, the bill for the remedial work required was estimated to come to at least €7.3 million.

Photographer Conor McMahon visited the site recently to document the decay.

The car park proved problematic even before other difficulties came to light as it flooded often and retained water.

The car park, as seen on 3 May 2013.

A common area inside one of the apartment blocks.

Rusting railings outside the front doors.

The view from one of the properties.

Signs of a construction site.

Read: “They’ve already tried to put us on the streets once, they can’t try it again”

Read: Priory Hall: ‘The Tenements of the Boom’ >

Read: Priory Hall: ‘Families have had to press pause on their lives for the last year’ >