Imagine living in a mold-infested, unregistered rental property, deemed 'uninhabitable' by its tenant, only to discover that the landlord is none other than Glen Power, the drummer and co-founder of the globally successful Irish pop-rock band, The Script. But here's where it gets controversial... While Power’s band has sold over 12 million albums and 4 million concert tickets, amassing significant wealth, the tenant, Oriel Corway, is struggling to live in a damp, mold-ridden garden studio in Tallaght, Dublin. And this is the part most people miss: the property, owned by Power’s company, Open Bridge Ltd, is unregistered with the Residential Tenancies Board, despite the company boasting tangible assets of over €8 million as of 2024.
Corway, who relies on the Housing Assistance Payment to cover most of her €1,300 monthly rent, commissioned an engineer’s survey in May 2025. The findings were alarming: excessive dampness, widespread mold, inadequate ventilation, exposed live wires, and poor weather sealing. The report recommended urgent interventions, including damp-proofing, mold removal, and rewiring. Corway’s daily reality is grim—she describes her bed as ‘soaking wet,’ requiring a hairdryer for drying, and waking up drenched. ‘It’s no way to live,’ she laments.
Despite repeated complaints to letting agent Ray Cooke, temporary fixes have failed to resolve the persistent mold and leaks. Here’s the bold question: Is it fair for a multimillion-euro company to rent out a property in such dire condition, especially when state funds are subsidizing the rent? Local authorities, tasked with enforcing rental standards, appear not to have inspected the property. A spokesperson for Power claims he is ‘fully committed’ to resolving the issues, with over €9,000 spent on repairs in eight months. However, the tenant will need to vacate during the extensive works, raising concerns about her housing stability.
This case highlights the broader issue of substandard rental properties in Ireland and the challenges tenants face in holding landlords accountable. What do you think? Is this an isolated incident, or a symptom of a larger problem in the rental market? Share your thoughts in the comments—let’s spark a conversation about tenant rights and landlord responsibilities.
