‘Completely inappropriate' – Dozens of objections lodged against proposed 24-hour gambling arcade in Ballymun
Lodged by applicant Peter McNally on May 12, the proposal has attracted more than 50 third-party submissions from concerned individuals and groups.
Among the objectors are local TDs including Fianna Fáil's Paul McAuliffe and Social Democrats TD Rory Hearne, both citing the proposal's inconsistency with the Dublin City Development Plan 2022-2028.
Deputy McAuliffe called for the application to be refused, pointing to the 'overconcentration of gambling-related businesses, and the importance of preventing further clustering of such uses'.
Deputy Hearne echoed these concerns, warning that the arcade would normalise gambling among young people.
'As has been rightfully pointed out by the Gambling Regulation Authority, problem gambling is a major issue in Ireland,' he said.
'A recent ESRI study estimates that approximately one in 30 adults in Ireland suffers from problem gambling.
'There are also direct links between childhood exposure to gambling and problem gambling in adulthood.
'I share concerns that a gaming and amusement arcade will normalise gambling, particularly for younger people.
'The development of an arcade including slot machines and casino gambling is an unwelcome one in this context.'
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He added: 'It should be noted that the proposed arcade would be located near schools and local youth centres.'
The Ballymun proposal follows a similar gaming arcade approved by Dublin City Council in Finglas in April despite strong local opposition.
That Finglas arcade has since become a focal point for complaints about anti-social behaviour and gambling-related harm, with an appeal now before An Bord Pleanála.
There is already a 24-hour casino and gaming arcade at the Omni Shopping Centre, 2.5km from the proposed site.
Local youth charity Ballymun Regional Youth Resource (BRYR) warned that another gambling arcade would conflict with its mission to support young people's well-being and resilience.
'Main Street is heavily trafficked by youths accessing school, transport, and local amenities. A gambling arcade would provide convenient access for under-18s and undermine efforts to educate and safeguard vulnerable youth,' wrote youth services manager Geraldine Comerford.
The HSE Addiction Service in Ballymun also lodged a strong objection. D. Ashmore, of the service, highlighted research showing gambling has a 'serious impact' on working-class and low-income communities.
'It's what we call a hidden addiction, leading to family breakdowns, debt, and in many cases, domestic violence, homelessness, and suicide,' Ms Ashmore said.
'So, putting a 24-hour gambling arcade in the heart of our community is a flashing red light for anyone in recovery from gambling.
'Most families here are already under financial pressure, so the presence of a 24-hour gambling arcade in a deprived area like Ballymun is exploitative. It targets people at their most vulnerable to addiction.
'We can't have a two-tier system where an HSE Addiction Service clinic is located directly across from a 24-hour gambling arcade — it defeats the purpose of us being here.'
'So, I strongly object to this gambling arcade and respectfully ask that this application be fully rejected,' she added.
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