Works totalling €27m are under way on the Priory Hall complex in Donaghmede in Dublin

Homes in the notorious Priory Hall development will go on sale early next year following a multi-million euro upgrade of the stricken complex.

As many as 187 apartments will be sold by the end of 2016, after works totalling €27m are completed by Dublin City Council, with 60 to be sold in the initial phase.

And the development will be renamed as 'New Priory Donaghmede'.

The name change comes in a bid to distance the complex from its old name, which is linked with fire safety issues and structural defects and which forced 41 families to be evacuated from their homes in 2011.

The development, built by former IRA member Thomas McFeely in 2007, is nearing completion, with homes expected to go on the market early next year.

Dublin City Council agreed to redevelop the complex following a protracted dispute resolution process. It is located across seven blocks on the Hole in the Wall Road in Donaghmede.

When complete, it will include 187 apartments and three commercial units. Some 164 will be two-bedroom units, and 23 one-beds.

"It is intended that all apartments and retail units will be put on the market for sale as they are completed except those which have remained in the ownership of non-resident owners/investors," the council said.

"It is anticipated that work will be completed on 60 apartments early in 2016 with the balance of 127 apartments and three retail units being completed towards the end of 2016."

Owner-occupiers who bought in the development had their mortgages written off in 2013 following a two-year struggle. Properties owned by Mr McFeely will be sold to cover part of the upgrading works.

Dublin City Council is now seeking a management agency to maintain the complex.

Irish Independent