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Irish Times
07-07-2025
- Business
- Irish Times
‘Amazing' plans for Dublin's Sheriff Street include offices and a hotel. Amazing for whom?
For generations, communities in Dublin 1 have been neglected, under-resourced and are now dealing with a wave of incongruous development that prioritises hotels, offices and luxury student accommodation over communities' needs. Nevertheless, Dublin 1 represents the beating heart of life in the capital, along with the Liberties in Dublin 8. These are areas that hold our stories, culture and character. Residents, businesses and social spaces can trace their roots across centuries, alongside the immigrant communities now contributing hugely to contemporary culture. Dublin 1 and Dublin 8 offer examples of what bustling, diverse urban ecosystems actually look like when, as the urbanist Jane Jacobs put it, they encapsulate the 'sidewalk ballet' of functioning street life. Some of the few streets in the capital that can authentically claim to reflect the essential features of what Jacobs described as the 'marvellous order' under 'the seeming disorder', are in both postcodes, including Parnell Street in Dublin 1, and Meath Street in Dublin 8. In a recent article in the Business Post, the chief executive of An Post and chair of the Dublin City Taskforce, David McRedmond, declared: 'Dublin 1 can become one of Europe's most happening neighbourhoods.' This statement ignores the area's existing vibrant culture and community. Happening for whom? READ MORE 'If we transform the core, there are other amazing adjacent plans such as Ballymore's to completely rebuild the Sheriff St area from Amiens Street to Spencer Dock,' McRedmond wrote. 'Amazing' is subjective. These plans include large office blocks and a hotel, along with build-to-rent apartments. So, 'amazing' for whom? Statements about rebuilding the Sheriff Street area can come across as insensitive because of the context of how the needs of the area were generally disregarded during the development of the IFSC. That left a legacy of existential fear within the community that it might be bulldozed once more. In a follow-up interview with the Dublin Inquirer, McRedmond said he was referring to plans about public space, and would 'hate to think that anyone would feel in any way insecure about their homes'. But, fundamentally, the future of this area should not be about more commercial development and expensive apartments, which few people in Dublin 1 can afford, but a grassroots approach that extends across public housing, amenities and facilities that meet the social, cultural and economic needs and aspirations of this unique part of the capital and those who live there. Underserved and under-resourced communities are not development opportunities. Cities are also about streets. It's unfortunate that so much contemporary development across the city results in hostile architecture that sucks life out of places, when we could instead be focusing on streetscapes with a sense of place and human-scale architecture. This cuts to the heart of conversations about 'regeneration' in Dublin 1. When it comes to 'potential', we have to differentiate between what is shared urban space presenting opportunities for all, and what looks like displacement through corporate gentrification. Ambitious plans with vision need to happen. For neighbourhoods, that's about listening, not declaring. In landmark buildings, it's about a coherent mission and purpose. This brings us to the GPO on O'Connell Street. First of all, it is unfortunate that parts of the building – over 75 per cent of it currently vacant – have not already been utilised as short-term cultural use in a city starved of both community centres and spaces for artists and collectives to meet, work and create. Secondly, the Government's recent communication about 'mixed-use' incorporating retail and offices raised more questions than it answered. If you don't actually have a plan, don't toss out something vague and random. It's no wonder the vacuum was then filled with outrage about the building's historic importance being undermined. The GPO should become neither shopping mall nor commercial offices. It represents a brilliant opportunity to create a landmark engine of creativity for Dublin that can inspire and facilitate generations to come. By creating something that both reflects and hosts contemporary Dublin – while taking inspiration from the positive aspects of entities such as the Southbank Centre in London, Factory International in Manchester, Kulturbrauerei in Berlin, Viernulvier in Ghent (and I could go on) – an ambitious, inclusive project would transform cultural activity in the city, alongside the Dublin Port Company's plans for the Artist Campus. The building's historic significance can also be preserved and expressed with a museum of revolution on its ground floor, which could also include a people's canteen. In tandem, Aldborough House – vacant, and on An Taisce's list of most-at-risk buildings, despite it being one of the finest Georgian buildings in the capital – should become a community and cultural space specifically for the communities of Dublin 1. The GPO is O'Connell Street's gem. We should be aspiring to create a world-class centre of culture, for and by the people. Let our diverse communities lead neighbourhood development and let artists inform the opportunity the GPO presents – just as so many of them urged our republic from the realm of the imagination into reality.
BreakingNews.ie
15-06-2025
- BreakingNews.ie
Brazilian man with expired visa caught with €7.5k worth of drugs in Dublin
A Brazilian cyclist, whose tourist visa expired six months ago, was caught with more than €7,500 worth of assorted drugs in a Dublin city centre seizure on Friday, a court has heard. Juan Souza Gomes, 25, provided a false address, resulting in a follow-up search of a home with occupants who "never heard of him", Judge Michele Finan heard. Advertisement Mr Gomes, with no fixed address, appeared at a weekend sitting of Dublin District Court. The contested bail hearing followed his arrest on the evening of June 13th when he was held and later charged with unlawfully possessing cannabis, cocaine, ketamine, LSD, MDMA, and methamphetamines at Litton Lane, Dublin 1. He is also accused of having the drugs for sale or supply. Store Street Garda Gerard Hanahoe alleged the accused was "caught red-handed" after being seen conversing with another unknown male, and money was handed over. Advertisement The garda approached and tried to detain the second man, but he fled. Searching Mr Gomes's backpack led to the large quantity of drugs, it was claimed. Garda Hanahoe said the accused claimed in his interview that "he found the backpack minutes before gardaí arrived". The officer informed the court that Mr Gomes came to Ireland in 2024 on a temporary tourist visa, which had expired six months ago. He voiced concerns about the man's credibility, fearing he would evade justice if granted bail after he provided a false address. Advertisement As a result, gardaí especially obtained a warrant to search that residence, "and the occupants had no idea who he was". Defence counsel Kevin McCrave, instructed by solicitor Michael French, said his client could now disclose he lived at Frederick Lane, Dublin 1. However, while agreeing Mr Gomes had the presumption of innocence, the garda countered that the accused had no fixed address or family in the country and was unlawfully in the State. The barrister said the case could still be dealt with at the District Court level, but the judge said that was speculative. Advertisement Mr McCrave, pleading for bail, said the man's partner was in Dublin, and she had his passport. Judge Finan stressed that the gardaí had to investigate the address mentioned in the exchanges between the defence and Garda Hanahoe. Ireland Legal action considered to stop government purchas... Read More She set Mr Gomes's bail in his bond of €700 but required a confirmed address and approval of an independent surety who must lodge €7,000 before he can be released. Once the terms have been met, he must surrender his passport and not use any bicycle, e-bike, motorcycle, or e-scooter. He was remanded in custody with consent to bail to appear again next week. The charges are under sections 3 and 15 of the Misuse of Drugs Act. Mr Gomes, who listened to the proceedings with the help of a translator, was granted legal aid. Directions from the DPP must be obtained.
BreakingNews.ie
05-06-2025
- General
- BreakingNews.ie
Young man (24) accused of bridge attack held Algerian in headlock during stabbing, court told
A young man allegedly held an Algerian national in a headlock in Dublin city centre on Monday while a second attacker stabbed and critically injured him, a court heard. Abdul Kouadria (24), with an address at Gardiner Street, Dublin 1 and previously of Richmond Road, Dublin 3, was refused bail by Judge Michele Finan at Dublin District Court on Thursday. Advertisement The Irish-Algerian accused was charged with assault causing harm to the man who remains in intensive care at the Mater Hospital after he suffered life-threatening injuries at Rosie Hackett Bridge, Eden Quay, Dublin 1 on Monday afternoon. Objecting to bail, Detective Garda Sean Dineen cited the seriousness of the case and submitted that the accused was a flight risk. He mentioned that Mr Kouadria had been born in Ireland but mainly lived outside the country and returned about three years ago. He said there was an altercation at 4.30pm on Monday, and according to onlookers, the accused and the injured man "were engaged in a scuffle on the bridge." It was alleged Mr Kouadria "placed him in a headlock and dragged him on the ground," and another man approached. Advertisement It was unclear who brought the knife to the scene, but witnesses purportedly saw the second alleged attacker stab the man using several stabbing and slashing motions. The detective said the Garda position was that the critical injuries were a result of a "joint enterprise assault", inflicted by the accused and a second male. It was alleged that Mr Kouadria took the man's jumper and walked off. His runners have been seized and subject to analysis, and Garda divers recovered the knife from the Liffey and it will be examined. Advertisement CCTV evidence has been harvested, the court heard. Detective Garda Dineen said that while Mr Kouadria was born in Ireland, he had only lived here since 2023. Defence solicitor Kelly Breen said the case was at a very early stage, and the evidence could be subject to cross-examination in the correct forum. In exchanges with Detective Garda Dineen, she said her client was not alleged to have been brandishing the knife in the CCTV footage. Advertisement He replied: "No, but he holds the injured party in a headlock while the second male stabs the injured party." The solicitor accepted that Mr Kouadria had been abroad, adding that he had been in Saudi Arabia, where his father lived. She submitted that her client had a presumption of innocence and bail, and although the charge was very serious, strict conditions could be imposed. The court heard there were issues over his residence, and the detective said the accused used a Dublin 9 address but had been accessing homeless services at Gardiner Street. The solicitor asked the court to consider fixing bail, subject to him offering a permanent address, obeying a curfew, surrendering travel documents, and providing a contact phone number. Advertisement Judge Finan highlighted that the accused enjoyed the presumption of innocence. However, she held that Detective Garda Dineen made a very cogent application, and she refused to grant bail. The accused, who did not address the court, was remanded in custody to appear again next week while gardaí seek directions from the Director of Public Prosecutions. On Wednesday, a 31-year-old man accused of inflicting severe knife slashing wounds during the same incident was also denied bail. Adel Attal, from Algeria but living in Ireland for two years, and with an address in State accommodation on Henry Street, Mallow, Co Cork, was charged with assault causing harm and brandishing a knife as a weapon during the incident. His application to be released revealed that the injured man suffered serious stab wounds to his stomach, back, and legs, requiring emergency surgery.
BreakingNews.ie
02-06-2025
- General
- BreakingNews.ie
Man seriously injured in Dublin city centre assault
A man was seriously injured in an assault in Dublin city centre on Monday afternoon. The assault took place in the Rosie Hackett Bridge, Eden Quay area of Dublin 1 at around 4.30pm. Advertisement The man was brought to Mater Misericordiae Hospital for treatment of serious injuries. The scene is currently preserved for technical examination, gardaí said in a statement. A man in his 30s was arrested and is detained under Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act 1984 at a garda station in the Dublin city area. Gardaí have appealed for witnesses to come forward, in particular anyone who may have been in the area of Rosie Hackett Bridge, Eden Quay, between 4pm and 5pm have been asked to come forward. A statement said that gardaí are particularly interested in speaking with anyone who may have information about any of the incidents or any mobile phone footage recorded at the relevant locations. Any road users who may have camera footage, including dash-cam, and were travelling in the area at the time, have been asked to make it available to investigating gardaí. Anyone with information has asked to contact Store Street Garda Station on (01) 666 8000, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111 or any garda station. Investigations are ongoing.
Irish Times
27-05-2025
- General
- Irish Times
Five injured in Dublin city collision between bus and ambulance
Five people were injured in a collision between a bus and an ambulance in Dublin city centre on Tuesday morning. The crash occurred at about 9:30am on Dorset Street in Dublin 1. The 140 Dublin bus was heading northward to Ikea. The five injured people have been taken to the Mater Misericordiae Hospital for treatment of injuries that are not life-threatening, according to gardaí. READ MORE A Garda spokesman said gardaí and emergency services are at the scene. Gardaí said the road remains closed with diversions in place. Dublin Bus confirmed an incident occurred on Tuesday involving a bus and an ambulance. In a statement, the HSE said that a National Ambulance Service vehicle was involved in the incident. 'No patient was on board at the time. Local line management is following up on the incident and providing staff wellbeing and support in line with normal HSE procedures,' it added in a statement.
