2023 report described Block C of Mount Suir Manor“as being in good condition"

A 2023 report into a Waterford council-owned apartment block that recently witnessed two young children fall through a two-storey balcony had described the block “as being in good condition.” 

On March 20, Nevaeh and Jayden O’Neill fell from the balcony of Block C of Mount Suir Manor after the balcony’s windowpane came loose and fell to the ground.

Nevaeh O’Neill (7) suffered minor scratches and returned home in the evening, while Jayden O’Neill (3) is understood to have suffered a brain bleed.

Block C of Mount Suir Manor, located in the suburb of Carrickpherish outside of Waterford City, has been the focus of complaints from tenants about poor standards of living for numerous years.

In 2025, Waterford City and County Council received 25 complaints from the tenants of the block’s 18 apartments, largely outlining issues with chronic leaking.

Originally developed by William Neville & Sons Ltd, the apartment block has been under the Council’s remit since 2020.

A 2023 report commissioned by the Council and carried out by Doyle Morris Group said that barring recurring issues with leaks and mould, the property was in good condition.

The survey was visual only, and was limited to five apartments and the block’s common areas.

Doyle Morris’ inspection of the apartment took place on June 29 2023.

The most common issues found were widespread growth of mould and algae on the exterior of tenants’ units.

Apartment No 4 of the block’s timber scotia was “in poor condition” and “soft to the touch”.

Corrosion to the nails of the apartment’s skirting board was evident, while the dividing wall between the bedroom and bathroom was “substantially soiled with mould and dampness.” 

The report noted that mushroom caps needed to be installed on the roof’s soil vent pipes.

Mould spread around extractor fans pointed to “issues with the flexi ducts used to connect the fans to the central stack/ external terminal.”

According to the report, around 50% of the apartments in Block C were extensively vandalised during the COVID lockdown.

“The level and nature of complaints from individual apartments is similar to that pertaining to the Council’s overall housing stock,” the report said.

“The building is generally in good condition apart from particular instances where additional investigations are required to identify potential remedial action or improvements.

“The issues raised at Mount Suir have also highlighted that there is significant further education required in relation to tenant responsibilities in relation to ventilation, heating and energy use in apartments to avoid potential mould issues arising.”

Local Sinn Féin councillor Jim Griffin had previously called for a task force to be created to deal with the longstanding issues at the apartment block.

Waterford Council wrote to all Block C tenants on March 20, advising them to stay off their balconies until an inspection was completed on March 23.

The Council also sent the same message to the managing directors of Block A and B- which features private renters, council tenants and renters in receipt of HAP.