‘Demolish Dingwell flats’

Dingwell Park flats after the body of Marcell Seeley was discovered

Mr Seeley, who lived at Dingwell Park, was found dead at his home last Tuesday.

The funeral for the 34-year-old is to take place this morning (Wednesday) at St Paul’s Church.

The funeral cortege will leave his mother’s home at Thornleigh, Lurgan at 9.30am for Requiem Mass at 10am.

His burial will take place after at St Colman’s Cemetery. Mr Seeley was the son of Claire and Marcell Seeley and brother of Brian, Carrai and Kevin.

Following his murder on Tuesday many local residents called for the flats at Dingwell Park to be raized to the ground.

It follows decades of anti-social behaviour and serious crime at the flats, including the rape of a foreign national and a lengthy and brutal attack on her partner.

The PSNI are regular visits to the flats which has been plagued by drugs and drinking parties.

Last September a man who raped a woman at the flats, and beat her boyfriend into unconsciousness was jailed for 18 years.

Darius Porcikas, 24, was convicted of 12 offences, including rape, attempted rape, sexual assault and inflicting grievous bodily harm with intent. The attack happened over a 12-hour period in July 2011.

This week Sinn Fein met with the Social Development Minister to discuss the future of the contentious flats.

Sinn Féin MLA John O’Dowd and Deputy Mayor Catherine Seeley have called for a ‘radical solution’ including their demolition.

They met with minister Mervyn Storey to discuss community concerns about serious anti-social behaviour.

Speaking after the meeting Catherine Seeley said: “We sought an urgent meeting with Mr Storey following the tragic events of last week and I would firstly like to thank him for responding so quickly.

“During the meeting we outlined the history of anti-social behaviour in and around Dingwell flats.

“ We made clear that many of those people housed in the flats had been abandoned and needed supported housing.

“I outlined to the Minister that despite the hard work of the community association, local Housing Executive officials and the police the flats have failed as a viable housing option. There now needs to be a radical solution including demolition of some if not all of the Dingwell flats.

“ Current residents of the flats and surrounding residents deserve better.

“Mr Storey has undertaken to discuss our concerns with the Housing Executive and others before reporting back to us in the near future .”