Skeagh House residents’ welfare a priority amid uncertainty

LAGAN Valley MP Jeffrey Donaldson and Stormont Health Minister Edwin Poots were among those to visit Skeagh House in the wake of last week’s evacuation.

The local MP said he and his colleagues were obviously “very concerned” about the welfare of Skeagh House residents.

“Quite apart from the risk to the people in Barban Hill,” he said, “this is a major disruption to the residents of Skeagh House.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“I commend the Trust and (Skeagh House) staff for acting quickly to find alternative accommodation, but clearly now there is uncertainty as to how long it will take to carry out the structural work to prevent further subsidence and ensure there is no risk either to the people living in the homes affected or to the residents of Skeagh House This could take some time to resolve and it’s important to ensure residents are looked after and that they are able to return as soon as possible.”

Also concerned, he said, about Barban Hill residents, Mr. Donaldson said, “Clearly questions need answered . . . The priority right now is to make the area safe so residents can return to their homes.”