Demolition has begun on the final tower block in what is left of St. Michael's Estate in Inchicore in west Dublin.

Around 200 former residents gathered today to see a crane begin to tear down the 8-storey block.

Dublin City Council had stopped work on the regeneration project earlier this month.

The Irish Times says it ordered the construction firm off-site in a dispute over the safety of the project.

Plans in place since 2010

The area has been ear-marked for regeneration since a plan was launched back in 2010.

This first phase was to develop 2-acres out of 14-acres planned for regeneration.

This phase saw the construction of 75 residential units, a childcare facility and a Dublin City Council Estate Office.

The residential are a mix of social and affordable housing.

Since the collapse of the Public Private Partnership scheme for regeneration in May 2008, a special Dublin City Council Task Force has worked with the Board to find solutions to continue with the project.