The balcony of the house in Cabinteely which has 70 people living in it

A dormitory in The Pines in Cabinteely, where up to 70 people were reported to be living Photo: Tony Gavin

Residents of an over-crowded house in Dublin that had 70 tenants pleaded last night for more time to find alternative accommodation.

A judge has ordered the house to be made vacant by Wednesday afternoon after Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown Council took legal action to stop the house being used as a multi-occupancy dormitory property.

The large house, with two floors over a basement, was crammed with occupants and the attic was also used by the occupants. Christian Carter (29), who rented the house from the UK-based owner for €4,000 a month, was charging up to 70 foreign nationals €200 a month each to stay in mainly bunkbeds on the property.

Last night, there were 34 tenants still living in the house at Lehaunstown, Cabinteely.

Expand Close A room full of bunk beds at The Pines, Lehaunstown. Photo: Independent.ie / Facebook

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Whatsapp A room full of bunk beds at The Pines, Lehaunstown. Photo: Independent.ie

"We did not get enough notice to find new accommodation. I was only told on Friday to be out by Wednesday," said Davorin Bazulic (57), a former journalist and graphic designer from Croatia who works in Ireland as a cleaner.

"To live in this house is like being in a combination of army barracks, stables, and a circus," he said, describing the overcrowded conditions.

Expand Close The balcony of the house in Cabinteely which has 70 people living in it / Facebook

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"There is not enough time. I will be left with my possessions in a plastic bag out on the road on Wednesday," he said.

Laura (28), a teacher from Italy, said: "When I came in the summer it was perfect. There was no one here. We were told there would be a maximum of 25 people and that there would be plenty of room to do study downstairs.

"But more and more bunkbeds were put in. Everyone wants to go away from this place. It is hell. But it is not human to expect us to find accommodation by Wednesday. We need more time," she said.

Gabriel Andrada (22), from Brazil, said: "I don't think it was too bad. There were only two showers but people did not have time to sing in the shower."

Irish Independent