A High Court judge in Ireland is encouraging parties to resolve their dispute over the new National Children’s Hospital in Dublin through mediation.   The dispute is over the damage allegedly caused to the nearby homes. 

Justice Paul Gilligan made his statements about mediation after several residents from the Mount Brown, O’Reilly Avenue, and Ceannt Fort took action against the National Pediatric Hospital Development Board and BAM Civil Limited, the firm responsible for building the hospital. 

According to the residents, their homes were damaged as a result of certain actions taken out by the construction company.   They are seeking an injunction preventing continued work at the site until steps are taken to remediate the damage and protect the homes from further damage. 

According to Shane Murphy SC, a representative of BAM, told the court that if an injunction is granted it would stop construction on the new hospital. 

Another attorney for the development board said his side is willing to mediate the dispute and keep it out of further court proceedings. 

The attorney for the homeowners denied that his clients were seeking an action that would stop all work on the site.   He stated they do not want to project delayed, but also do not want their homes to sustain further damage.  

There is evidence their homes sustained damage during the course of the project so far.  

The judge asked that the defendants’ offer of mediation be considered by the residents in advance of Friday’s hearing.   The attorney for the homeowners stated his clients are willing to participate in mediation over the dispute.