Although a home should be a sanctuary of safety, for one couple in Dublin, it has become a structural nightmare. They are in a desperate search for answers after half of their house was condemned due to the recent collapse of their back garden wall into the Camac River.
When Ellen Blehein and Robert Somerville moved into their house in Inchicore in 2021, they had no idea that the river behind their house would eventually threaten the foundation of the house. They are now demanding quick repairs before their entire house is destroyed as they witness parts of it fall apart.
Camac River House Collapse: Key Facts
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Location | Inchicore, Dublin |
| Residents Affected | Ellen Blehein (32) & Robert Somerville (30) |
| Collapse Date | February 2024 |
| Cause | Riverbank erosion, structural failure |
| Estimated Damage | Up to €100,000 |
| Current Risk | Conservatory and foundation at risk of total collapse |
| Council Response | Investigating ownership of river wall |
| Grant Options | Possible state funding under flood mitigation programs |
| Source | Irish Times |
From Ideal House to Catastrophe Area
Blehein and Somerville bought their house with excitement and hope, like many other homeowners. Inchicore was the ideal location to create a future because of its quaint neighborhood, extensive history, and tight-knit community.
They were aware of the region’s history of floods, but they were unaware of the Camac River’s structural hazards. However, the foundation for a catastrophic structural failure was laid by years of gradual erosion beneath their land.
Then, one fateful night, their worst nightmare began with a loud, trembling crash.
More Than Just Their Backyard Was Enclosed by This Wall
🔹 Parts of their conservatory, patio, and foundation supports were pulled into the river after a 20-foot section of their backyard wall collapsed.
🔹 Their house had flaws outside and inside long before it collapsed. They were alerted by engineers that the house was gradually moving, but the fundamental issue—a deteriorating riverbank—was not resolved.
🔹 Dublin City Council was notified years ago, but no significant actions were taken, leaving the property at risk of catastrophe.
The house is currently on borrowed time, and unless something is done very away, more collapses are quite likely to occur.
“Nobody Will Help, and We Have No Home”
The couple was forced to leave their house after it collapsed. Due to the partial condemnation caused by the structural damage, they are now dependent on their neighbors for necessities like a shower and a bathroom.
💬 Blehein recalled, “The conservatory was creaking and on the verge of collapsing, so we had to leave in the middle of the night.”
💬 “We can’t live here, half of our house is gone, and we have nowhere else to go.”
They are even more frustrated by the city council’s tardy response. The wall’s ownership must be determined before repairs can begin, officials have said, postponing crucial action at a time when the house is still in danger of being completely destroyed.
Who Is in Charge of Stopping Future Catastrophes?
Serious concerns have been raised by the collapse regarding Dublin’s long-term flood protection initiatives and infrastructure monitoring.
✅ Despite visiting the location, Dublin City Council representatives have not promised to repair the riverbank, stating that property ownership must be established first.
✅ Although no immediate assistance has been promised, the Office of Public Works (OPW) has advised the couple to seek for funds sponsored by the state.
✅ The home will keep deteriorating in the absence of a reinforced riverbank, putting the couple in a structural and financial bind.
This is about whether public authorities are ready to protect communities from similar calamities, not simply about one house.
What Must Take Place Next?
What Blehein and Somerville are requesting is responsibility, not a rescue.
Important Recovery Steps:
- Emergency Reinforcement of the River Wall: To stop additional erosion, the river wall must be stabilized immediately.
2️⃣ Structural Rehabilitation of Their Home: Additional portions of the house will be lost if the foundation is not strengthened. - Unambiguous Government Involvement: The council needs to take responsibility and pledge to restore the riverbed.
4️⃣ Long-Term Flood Management in Inchicore: Other residences might be next if more extensive infrastructure isn’t improved.
Is There Going to Be a Bigger Crisis?
The collapse of the Camac River is not an isolated event. Flooding has been a problem in Inchicore for years, and additional homes may suffer the same fate if preventive steps are not taken.
🌊 The riverbanks of Inchicore are deteriorating, and the situation will only get worse as flood risks rise due to climate change.
💰 Since flood-prone properties are no longer insurable, homeowners may now find it difficult to obtain insurance.
🏚️ Whole areas of Inchicore may eventually have to relocate if infrastructure is not fixed.
This was a warning, not merely a house collapse.
A House on the Boundaries, A City at a Turning Point
Blehein and Somerville are running out of time. The likelihood that their house will be completely destroyed rises with each day that goes by without government intervention.
Their message is straightforward: They want a strategy, not charity.
🛑 Dublin has to choose between investing in flood prevention and leaving households on their own.
🏠 Is this the start of many collapses to come, or will other houses be spared?
The response will determine if a couple in Inchicore ever gets to go back home.