“We have an over-reliance on the private sector, it is expensive, it is poor value for money,” says Mary Hayes, director of the Dublin Region Homeless Executive.
A developer has applied for planning permission to demolish two houses and a mews and build a five-storey aparthotel on the corner of Mark’s Alley West.
To get council managers to the bargaining table, elected representatives rezoned the site to block their plans. Chief Executive Owen Keegan was not pleased.
Staycity say they are considering various options for the arts and cultural spaces, and want to put the square behind a gate to prevent anti-social behaviour at night.
“It’s our only community facility in the area,” said Joan Hughes, “and it provides so many services to the community, not just for the children, but for the elderly.”
The council also refused the owner’s request to demolish the existing structure on the site at 92/93 Francis Street, but on Tuesday it was being torn down.
A group of local horse owners and locals are organising to try to save the lane and preserve the long-standing tradition of urban horse culture in the Liberties.
Under a proposal between Dublin City Council and Hines, the Liberties could get a full-sized sports pitch, but some councillors are concerned with the trade-off of public land with the developer.
The objectives of the area plan have been mostly met or are in the process of being met, said a recent council report. Not all councillors in the area agree, though.
Locals have several ideas for people it could be named after – Oliver Bond, Richie Taplin, Anne Devlin, Jimmy Holmes – but none of them might be allowed under council rules.
