From a Dublin base, an anti-caste influencer grows a global audience
In less than two years, Amit Wasnik has attracted tens of thousands of online followers with his posts focused on the life and ideas of BR Ambedkar.
Local residents and councillors say they weren’t warned of the changes, and don’t really understand the rationale for them.
Ivan Budanov, 14, writes about life in an apartment stuck between his landlord and a vulture fund. “It has been very scary, and we cannot stay at home alone.”
Tusla says 36 percent of foster children in the area don’t have up-to-date care plans. HIQA says it’s 13 percent. Both figures are bad compared to the national average.
Minister Simon Coveney promised to end the use of hotels to shelter homeless families by 1 July. To some, a big part of his plan sounds like rebranding, rather than real change.
When fire broke out at 1/2 Mountjoy Square in February, some pointed to a history of planning complaints at the property.
A plan to give the golf course to a private operator who wants to introduce footgolf conflicts with a plan to eliminate it to make way for a cycle path.
Councillors voted on using drones to tackle illegal dumping, where to put the sports pitch in St Teresa’s Gardens, homes for Travellers, and art studios.
Every five years, businesses in the city centre vote on whether to pay a bit extra in rates and keep DublinTown. The current campaign is proving contentious.
Massimo Scaramella was trying to enliven his end of Capel Street with a piano outside for passers-by, but there’s no way to get a permit for that.
They could mean more convenience for drivers and more efficient use of space, but also loss of revenue for the council and more cars in the city.
Guidebook writers started using the term “institution” in the last few years, but Des Cooney isn’t interested in that. “It makes you feel old,” he says.
Councillors are frustrated with the time it takes Dublin City Council to deal with requests for changes to street markings and traffic patterns. Thousands are pending.