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Dublin Live
5 days ago
- Business
- Dublin Live
Relief for Ballymun locals as gambling arcade plans refused following community pushback
Our community members are treated to special offers, promotions and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. More info Relief has washed over the community of Ballymun after a gaming arcade planned for the area was refused permission by Dublin City Council's planning department. Plans were submitted for the gaming arcade at Santry Cross, but the development was refused permission on July 4. DCC's reason for refusal was the arcade's proximity to residential development. The proposal was strongly opposed by the Ballymun community. There were 50 observations submitted on the plan with hundreds of locals signing petitions and letters against the development. People Before Profit councillor Conor Reddy said: "This was a textbook example of a community standing up for itself. This gambling arcade would have added to problems that the community has struggled hard to beat for years. It would have undermined the incredible work being done by local people and organisations to build a healthier, safer, more resilient Ballymun.' Cllr Reddy also said that he is keeping a close eye on a similar development for Finglas that is currently with An Coimisiun Pleanala. He co-hosted a public information meeting alongside Sinn Fein's Leslie Kane about the concerns of the gaming arcades in both communities. He continued: 'We showed what can happen when the community pulls together. This decision shows how much power we have when we organise, and now we need to build on that momentum. "This isn't just about stopping something bad. It's about creating space for something better. Ballymun is the perfect place to realise the vision of Community Wealth Building that's in the Dublin City Development Plan. This community deserves quality services, inclusive spaces, and sustainable development, and this decision puts us one step closer.' While Aontu's Edward MacManus, who also owns a pharmacy in the area, praised the decision by DCC. He said he received 500 signatures from locals opposing the plans, and as a member of the Ballymun 4 Business steering committee. He said: "This proposed development was a non-runner in my estimation form the beginning and I was really worried about it. The main reasons I was so opposed to this proposed gaming arcade included the very real risks to public health and social cohesion. "The presence of a gaming arcade would increase the risk of problem gambling, especially among vulnerable young people and families already contending with economic hardship. This proposed development could undermine ongoing sterling efforts to revitalise the area, detracting from its family-friendly environment and potentially leading to other social issues. 'This outcome is a victory for community spirit and responsible development. Ballymun deserves facilities that promote health, opportunity, and a positive future for our young people. The refusal of this gaming arcade sends a clear message that the wellbeing of residents comes first.' Join our Dublin Live breaking news service on WhatsApp. Click this link to receive your daily dose of Dublin Live content. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice. For all the latest news from Dublin and surrounding areas visit our homepage.
Extra.ie
6 days ago
- Business
- Extra.ie
Gambling arcade refused for Dublin suburb
Planning permission for a new gambling arcade in Dublin has been refused following a 'mammoth' opposition campaign from the local community. A 24-hour gambling and amusement arcade was proposed for Santry Cross, in Dublin 9 with the application lodged on May 12th causing uproar among locals. The HSE Addiction Service, CATU (Community Action Tenants Union), local businesses and politicians came together to express their concerns about the proposed arcade. Planning permission for a new gambling arcade in Dublin have been refused following a 'mammoth' opposition campaign from the local community. Pic: Getty Images Last week, Dublin City Council made the decision to refuse planning permission for the facility. Among those protesting against the arcade was 'People Before Profit' TD Conor Reddy who took to social media on Tuesday with the 'good news for Ballymun.' He said: 'The gambling arcade at Santry Cross has been refused planning permission so there was an absolute mammoth campaign run by people in the local community — local organisations; local individuals; people in recovery; businesses and far more who made the common sense arguments for why this gambling arcade would be a bad idea for Ballymun.' Mr Reddy said the premises would have put more people at risk and 'set us back and reverse' the progress that many had made together. He said he was 'really delighted' following the news, adding: 'I think it shows the power of community. Fair play to everybody who got an objection in. A massive fair play to those who encouraged others to put in objections. A 24-hour gambling and amusement arcade was proposed for Santry Cross, Dublin 9 with the application lodged on May 12 causing uproar amongst locals. Pic: Getty Images 'Now is a time for learning that when we come together we can achieve great things in Ballymun and maybe we can know look at all the different empty vacant units across the community. Social media users took to the comments delighted with the outcome of the proposed arcade, with one writing: 'Fantastic! An arcade would have been a disaster!' Another commented: 'Great work from the people of Ballymun and thanks for getting the ball rolling on this Conor.' A third added: 'Brilliant work, up Ballymun.' In their ruling, Dublin City Council said their Dublin City Development Plan 2022-2028 included the presumption against the development of gaming or other amusement machines in close proximity to the residential areas. They added that the provision of an amusement centre at the proposed location would be set a precedent for other similar development in the vicinity.
The Journal
6 days ago
- Business
- The Journal
Proposed gaming machine arcade for Ballymun refused planning permission
PLANNING PERMISSION FOR a 'gaming and amusement arcade' in the north Dublin suburb of Ballymun has been refused. A proposal were submitted to Dublin City Council in May to open the facility on the Ballymun Road, near the junction with Santry Avenue , in a vacant retail unit on the ground floor of an apartment block. Planning documents state that the proposed arcade would open daily from 10am to 10pm and would 'feature a diverse range of gaming machines for interactive entertainment', adding that customers will pay to use the machines. HSE addiction services, youth and community projects, sports clubs, businesses, residents, TDs and councillors were among those to condemn the proposed facility as inappropriate and harmful. A representative of HSE addiction services in Ballymun described bringing such an arcade to one of the most socially disadvantaged areas in the state as 'exploitative'. In a decision issued last week, Dublin City Council has refused planning permission for the facility. Floor plans for the proposed arcade filed with Dublin City Council. Dublin City Council Dublin City Council The council said that while the proposed use would generally be acceptable in urban villages, a policy in the Dublin City Development Plan 2022-2028 includes a presumption against the development of gaming or other amusement machines in close proximity to residential areas, 'as is the case in this instance'. Advertisement 'Having regard to the proximity of the subject site to existing residential property, it is considered that, in the absence of sufficient justification, the provision of an amusement centre at this location would be contrary to Policy CCUV14 of the development plan and would, by itself and by the precedent it would set for other similar development in the vicinity, be contrary to the proper planning and sustainable development of the area.' People Before Profit TD Conor Reddy was one of a number of politicians who objected to the facility. He previously told The Journal that at least 30 written objections were sent to the council by the local community. In a statement today, Reddy called the planning refusal 'a victory for people power and common sense'. 'This was a textbook example of a community standing up for itself,' he said. 'This gambling arcade would have added to problems that the community has struggled hard to beat for years. It would have undermined the incredible work being done by local people and organisations to build a healthier, safer, more resilient Ballymun.' Dublin City Council granted planning permission for a similar gaming and amusement arcade in nearby Finglas village in April, a decision that is now under appeal to An Bord Pleanála. Reddy said he was hopeful that the refusal for the Ballymun facility 'will be a sign of things to come, that communities and their wellbeing are finally being prioritised over predatory business models'. He urged residents and the council to 'think proactively about how to fill vacant units in Ballymun with projects that serve the public good'. 'Ballymun is the perfect place to realise the vision of Community Wealth Building that's in the Dublin City Development Plan. This community deserves quality services, inclusive spaces, and sustainable development, and this decision puts us one step closer.' With reporting from Valerie Flynn Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone... A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation. Learn More Support The Journal
Dublin Live
24-06-2025
- Politics
- Dublin Live
Anti-racism and anti-immigration protests take place in Dublin city centre
Our community members are treated to special offers, promotions and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. More info An anti-racism rally and an anti-immigration demonstration were held in Dublin city on Sunday. O'Connell Bridge was closed for a time on Sunday afternoon as the Gardai erected extensive barriers to separate the two crowds. The United Against Racism rally began at the Central Plaza on Dame Street, marching through the city to O'Connell Bridge at around 2pm. Several protesters carried signs saying: 'Blame the Government, not migrants'; and: 'Dublin stands against racism'. They also chanted: 'Say it loud, say it clear, refugees are welcome here.' The anti-immigration protest marched down O'Connell Street and turned left at O'Connell bridge before continuing along the quays. Participants from both sides shouted and gestured towards each other from across the empty space between the barriers created by gardai. The anti-immigration group, which was the larger of the two, was thick with large tricolour flags. It chanted 'ole ole' and: 'Whose streets? Our streets'. Several people were seen wearing 'Make Ireland Great Again' green caps and holding US or 'Trump' flags, and some signs critical of RTE. At one point, the famous rebel song 'Oro 'Se do bheatha 'bhaile' was played by the anti-racism rally over a speaker, and prompted some participants in the anti-immigration group to sing along and applaud at the end. There was an extensive Garda presence at the location where the two protest groups were due to cross paths. The Garda Mounted Support Unit, the Public Order Unit, and Garda members from outside the Dublin Metropolitan Region were in attendance. One Garda member was heard telling a member of the public he could not give directions as he was brought in from a region outside Dublin to police the protest. One mother said she and her eight-year-old attended the anti-racism protest as there was an anti-immigration demonstration being held close to her daughter's school. She said the group are camped beside the primary school every day over a nearby International Protection Accommodation Service (IPAS) centre, which has been there since 2022. 'We want to just come down and show our support for all of the people who go to her school who are migrants, or who have migrant parents,' the woman said, who asked that she not be named. 'We want to pass the message over to the other side that this is unacceptable for Ireland today, especially for the youth to have to put up with this type of environment. It's been extremely upsetting for the children and the families.' Councillor Conor Reddy said that communities across Ireland had been divided over the last year and a half and what happened in Ballymena in recent weeks was 'only a few steps away' in Dublin. He said anti-immigration marches would 'further divide our city' and that it was 'about time we put it up to them'. 'We're here to say that we are stronger when we stand together, that hate divides us, hate plays into the hands of Government. We've seen how far hate can take us – when you look at what happened in Ballymena in the north last week, that's only a few steps away here I fear, especially in my community of Ballymun and Finglas where we have seen houses attacked and unfortunately burned before people have gone into them, so we have to draw a line in the sand.' He said the march was acknowledging that there are issues with housing and inequality, but shifting the blame to the Government rather than migrants. 'Migrants, asylum seekers people that own IPAS centres are also multi-property landlords, so the enemy is the same and it's about pointing that out.' Join our Dublin Live breaking news service on WhatsApp. Click this link to receive your daily dose of Dublin Live content. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice . For all the latest news from Dublin and surrounding areas visit our homepage.
Irish Daily Mirror
22-06-2025
- Politics
- Irish Daily Mirror
Anti-racism rally and anti-immigration demonstration held in Dublin
An anti-racism rally and an anti-immigration demonstration were held in Dublin city on Sunday. O'Connell Bridge was closed for a time on Sunday afternoon as the Gardai erected extensive barriers to separate the two crowds. The United Against Racism rally began at the Central Plaza on Dame Street, marching through the city to O'Connell Bridge at around 2pm. Several protesters carried signs saying: 'Blame the Government, not migrants'; and: 'Dublin stands against racism'. They also chanted: 'Say it loud, say it clear, refugees are welcome here.' The anti-immigration protest marched down O'Connell Street and turned left at O'Connell bridge before continuing along the quays. Participants from both sides shouted and gestured towards each other from across the empty space between the barriers created by gardai. The anti-immigration group, which was the larger of the two, was thick with large tricolour flags. It chanted 'ole ole' and: 'Whose streets? Our streets'. Several people were seen wearing 'Make Ireland Great Again' green caps and holding US or 'Trump' flags, and some signs critical of RTE. At one point, the famous rebel song 'Oro 'Se do bheatha 'bhaile' was played by the anti-racism rally over a speaker, and prompted some participants in the anti-immigration group to sing along and applaud at the end. There was an extensive Garda presence at the location where the two protest groups were due to cross paths. The Garda Mounted Support Unit, the Public Order Unit, and Garda members from outside the Dublin Metropolitan Region were in attendance. One Garda member was heard telling a member of the public he could not give directions as he was brought in from a region outside Dublin to police the protest. One mother said she and her eight-year-old attended the anti-racism protest as there was an anti-immigration demonstration being held close to her daughter's school. She said the group are camped beside the primary school every day over a nearby International Protection Accommodation Service (IPAS) centre, which has been there since 2022. 'We want to just come down and show our support for all of the people who go to her school who are migrants, or who have migrant parents,' the woman said, who asked that she not be named. 'We want to pass the message over to the other side that this is unacceptable for Ireland today, especially for the youth to have to put up with this type of environment. It's been extremely upsetting for the children and the families.' Councillor Conor Reddy said that communities across Ireland had been divided over the last year and a half and what happened in Ballymena in recent weeks was 'only a few steps away' in Dublin. He said anti-immigration marches would 'further divide our city' and that it was 'about time we put it up to them'. 'We're here to say that we are stronger when we stand together, that hate divides us, hate plays into the hands of Government. We've seen how far hate can take us – when you look at what happened in Ballymena in the north last week, that's only a few steps away here I fear, especially in my community of Ballymun and Finglas where we have seen houses attacked and unfortunately burned before people have gone into them, so we have to draw a line in the sand.' He said the march was acknowledging that there are issues with housing and inequality, but shifting the blame to the Government rather than migrants. 'Migrants, asylum seekers people that own IPAS centres are also multi-property landlords, so the enemy is the same and it's about pointing that out.'
