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Irish Times
07-07-2025
- General
- Irish Times
Conor Buckley, son of Christine Buckley: ‘I set up Human Collective to keep her legacy alive'
The minute you meet Conor Buckley, founder of the Human Collective sustainable leisurewear brand, you are struck by his engaging personality, his energy and one of the biggest smiles in Ireland. But behind all that lies a deeply serious commitment to equality and diversity, both in life and business. In his clothing collection, this is symbolised by the subtle equality logo that adorns every garment. At home in Clonskeagh in Dublin, which he shares with his wife, Lauren, and their three children, our conversation turns to his mother, Christine Buckley , one of Ireland's most prominent anti-racism activists and campaigner for survivors of institutional abuse, who died in 2014. 'My mum had a big influence on me – she believed in empathy and compassion, an amazing woman who changed people's perceptions,' he says. 'I set up the Human Collective to keep her legacy alive.' His father, Donal Buckley, is a freelance journalist from Cork, and Conor is the youngest of three, after his brother, Darragh, and sister, Cliona. The Buckleys grew up in Goatstown. In a past interview with RTÉ, the brothers revealed how they were often called names because of their mixed race, and would prefer if their father picked them up from school as it drew less attention, as 'he looked white, he looked like everybody else'. Buckley recalls his first personal experience of racism. 'My mum called up to the child's parents' house to explain that it was not acceptable. She didn't blame the child but instead focused on the parents. She was determined to stop racism, but always through education.' I asked myself: why can't you put a message on something premium? He remembers Christmas and other celebratory occasions when they would come home to find total strangers staying in the house. 'We wanted just to be together at Christmas, but Mum would explain that these people had no family, no homes and so we should welcome them as we were privileged. It was a great way to say these things to a teenager, because you learned about empathy. I remember meeting a man on George's Street once and he said to me, 'Your mum saved my life'.' READ MORE Buckley, a history and information studies graduate from UCD, began a career after university setting up venues and nightclubs in Dublin, including Krystle on Harcourt Street. He worked for the Press Up hospitality group for 10 years as head of business development, 'the right-hand man to [founders] Paddy [McKillen jnr] and Matt [Ryan]'. Buckley was searching 'for something with a bit more purpose in life', he says. He spent his free time in disadvantaged schools and outreach centres speaking about inclusion and exclusion, 'and that came from my mum'. The murder of African-American George Floyd by a white police officer in Minneapolis in May 2020 had a huge impact on him. The role of activist Jane Elliott in questioning hate and discrimination with her T-shirt slogan 'There is only one race, the human race', showed him how small but significant changes could be made with clothing. 'And I asked myself: why can't you put a message on something premium?' Organic T-shirt in evergreen, €35 Oversize hoodie in twilight, €85 Pride T-shirt, Fiesta, €38 Since co-founding the Human Collective in 2021 with his wife, shortly after the birth of their daughter, the brand's colourful range of T-shirts, crew necks, hoodies, shirts and sherpa jackets, made with organic cotton and recycled polyester, has developed a dedicated following. The brand's logo is just two small stripes, and its mission statement is clear: 'to create a future where comfort meets conscious ... our equal signs embodying our belief that we are all human and equal. 'The message had to be subtle, because I don't think people want to shove their values in people's faces, so it had to be enough that people felt comfortable wearing it,' says Buckley. 'One of my proudest moments was seeing Brian O'Driscoll wearing one of our Pride T-shirts at Coldplay last year and posting it on Instagram‚' he says. Other celebrity fans of the brand include Laura Whitmore, Bressie, the Happy Pear twins Stephen and David Flynn ('who wear it nonstop') and Joe Wicks, the UK fitness guru, who have also posted pictures of themselves wearing the clothing on social media 'which is great because we can't afford to pay people', he says. There have also been collaborations with the Late Late Toy Show star Adam King on a line for children, a collection with Rosanna Davison, and last year for Pride, Mark Feehily launched their Pride T-shirt, and the Irish women's soccer team promoted their Pride socks, with proceeds going to Outhouse. Men's oversize black hoodie, €85 Oversize hoodie in stone, €85 Newport shirt in harbour blue, €80 Mint green organic cotton T-shirt, €35 Buckley also gives talks to schools and companies about sustainability and values. 'Clothing is a great way for people to share values. These companies want their teams to be open-minded.' He has produced clothing with company logos for big multinationals including Google, Irish Life, Avalon and the RSA. As for the collections, shape and silhouette are clean and simple and the range of colours is varied and subtle – currently the line includes T-shirts in a muted pink and a sunbeam yellow for both men and women. 'Our market is 30-55-year-olds and customers are 70 per cent women, many buying for their partners. Bold design doesn't work for us,' he says. As an urban leisure brand, the shape, fit and weight of their clothing is better than high-street equivalents, he says. The collection is made in Portugal, Turkey and Bangladesh, 'as we try to keep it affordable. They are elevated essentials with better fabrics, better feel and colours that give you a bit of a lift.' White Newport shirt, €80 Sunbeam yellow organic cotton T-shirt, €38 Muted pink crew, €70 They opened the Human Collective shop on the ground floor of St Stephen's Green Centre in 2023. 'I think people trust you more when you have a shop. Our online sales went up,' says Buckley. He credits his success to a devoted team. 'My wife, Lauren, is great on product and has such energy, and I also have a brilliant operations manager, a Bulgarian called Krum. Peter Dowling, head of digital, has been with us since the start, and our amazing Chinese design and marketing executive, Zhenni Dulaer – they care so much.' He is now hoping to attract investment to scale up and expand the team, and continue to spread the message 'that we are all human and all equal'. Prices start at €35 for T-shirts, €75 for hoodies and €160 for puffer jackets.
Irish Times
03-07-2025
- Business
- Irish Times
Student accommodation developer challenges decision to rezone land near UCD to open space
Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown Council's decision to rezone lands owned by a student accommodation developer from residential to open space was done for valid planning reasons, the High Court has been told. The council made the argument in defending an action brought by developer Colbeam Ltd, which is challenging the local authority's 2022-2028 county development plan arising from the rezoning decision. Colbeam has sought to build a 698-bed student accommodation complex at Our Lady's Grove, Goatstown Road, Dublin 14, which is about 850 metres from University College Dublin (UCD). The developer previously secured planning permission from An Coimisiún Pleanála for the development, but this decision was quashed following a separate, successful High Court challenge. READ MORE Colbeam had bought the site in 2017 from the Congregation of the Religious of Jesus and Mary for €13 million. The land – which had been part of a wider campus that includes Our Lady's Grove primary and secondary school – was zoned residential under the council's 2016-2022 county development plan, which was in effect at the time of the purchase, Colbeam has said. But before adopting the 2022-2028 county development plan, councillors adopted motions to rezone Colbeam's land from residential to open space. On Thursday, David Browne SC, for the council, said councillors adopted motions to rezone primarily for planning-based reasons. These included consideration for open space at the Our Lady's Grove campus and concerns about incremental development on that space. Colbeam has argued that councillors had regard for 'irrelevant consideration' in adopting the motions to rezone. But Mr Browne said that if the principal reason for the rezoning decision was a planning one then that was a valid decision. Mr Brown said certain remarks made by councillors in debating the rezoning motions were indicative of 'marginal' considerations in the decision to rezone and should not invalidate the decision. On Wednesday, Neil Steen SC, for Colbeam, had argued that councillors had regard for 'irrelevant consideration' in adopting the motions to rezone. One of these irrelevant considerations arose from purported comments made at the meeting by Fine Gael councillor Barry Saul, one of the members who initially proposed to rezone the land. In advancing the argument to rezone the lands, Cllr Saul referred to 'a failure of moral obligation' on the part of the Congregation of the Religious of Jesus and Mary to maintain a required level of open space on their lands, Mr Steen said. The open space requirement arose from an 'institutional land' designation. Mr Steen said Mr Saul made it explicit that part of his intention in supporting the rezoning was to address this 'failure'. Counsel said moral obligation was an irrelevant consideration in the decision to rezone. Mr Steen said his clients were entitled under legislation to a decision uncontaminated by irrelevant considerations. He said if the court found councillors took an irrelevant consideration into account in making the decision to rezone then the decision should be quashed. Mr Justice David Holland will give his ruling at later date.
BreakingNews.ie
26-06-2025
- Health
- BreakingNews.ie
Residents of south Dublin estate 'petrified' at plans for teenage care home, objection says
Many residents living in an upmarket south Dublin estate are "petrified" over a proposal to establish a care home for teenagers nearby, according to an objection lodged with planners. Prof Moira O'Brien is among the local residents objecting to the proposed change to the use and extension of a residential home at 60 Knocknashee, Goatstown, Dublin, to accommodate six to nine teenagers aged 16 to 18 in the care of Tusla. Advertisement The medical consultant told Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council that with news of the planned care home 'many of the residents in the area are now petrified that they won't feel safe going in and out of their homes'. The application by Davy Property Holdings Limited for the change of use and house revamp has provoked widespread local opposition and Prof O'Brien is one of 55 local residents to lodge individual objections. The Knocknashee Residents Association (KRA) also lodged a group submission following a meeting attended by 65 local people. Figures from the Residential Price Property Register show that the most recent homes on the market in Knocknashee sold for more than €1 million. Advertisement The Davy firm is seeking a change of use from residential dwelling to community dwelling home for people with an intellectual or physical disability or mental illness, and for people providing them with care. In a planning report lodged with the application, Kevin Hughes of Hughes Planning and Development Consultants (HPDC) told the council each young person will be accommodated in their own bedroom at the home under Section 5 of the Child Care Act 1991. He said the young people in residence will be cared for by a team of 12 staff. Knocknashee resident and osteoporosis consultant Prof Moira O'Brien has lived at her Knocknashee home for over 50 years. Advertisement Prof O'Brien told the council that those to be accommodated in such a home are vulnerable 'but so are the elderly in our community'. 'I am hoping that you will see this objection has the best interest for the most vulnerable in society at heart and that you will not give permission for an unregulated, unsuitable 'home',' Prof O'Brien said. Ireland Housing objections over 'character of an area' has... Read More Fine Gael councillor Jim O'Leary told the council in a submission that he supported the concerns raised by the residents of Knocknashee. Knocknashee Residents Association (KRA) chairman Jurgen White said 'the residents/teenagers (9) and rostered staff (12) as well as visitors and agency staff are being shoe-horned into a modified four bedroom home that will not be fit for purpose'. Mr White said that while the intended use of the dwelling is admirable, the proposal is not viable due to there not being sufficient space to accommodate so many vulnerable children. The council has sought additional information on the plans but has said that the principle of a care facility is considered to be acceptable.
Times
22-05-2025
- General
- Times
Róisín Lafferty: ‘I never thought I'd live outside of Dublin, now I might never go back'
I grew up in Goatstown, south Co Dublin. It was a pretty ordinary 1950s-era semi-detached house. For some reason, in every house I've lived in I've lived in the attic. I prefer being at the top of the house, like a cat — it feels nice and tucked away. My mum still lives in my childhood home. She's lived in it her whole life because my grandad lived there previously, and I grew up with him. I've actually redone the house for her since to make it function better. We knocked down a few walls and changed the configuration. I think in some cases I put aesthetics over function, which she never lets me hear the end of. I was always the girl in school
BreakingNews.ie
16-05-2025
- BreakingNews.ie
Man avoids jail after three-year campaign of coercive control
A man who subjected his wife to a three-year campaign of coercive control has been given a three-year suspended sentence. Ian Barry (44), of the Ashes, Trimleston, Goatstown, Dublin 14, was sent forward from the District Court on a signed guilty plea of coercive control on dates between 2019 and 2022 at another address in south Dublin. Advertisement Dublin Circuit Criminal Court heard evidence that Barry was verbally abusive towards the victim, calling her names including 'Adolf' and a 'liar'. Barry also subjected her to physical violence by throwing objects at her. He exerted financial control over her, forcing her to account for every penny spent, the court heard. She was occasionally given a bank card to use to buy groceries, but Barry directed a set amount of her to spend. She also had to return with four bags of groceries, and Barry would inspect the receipts. In 2019, Barry insisted she use her income from her new part-time job to pay for their groceries, instead of the bank card. He also sought to control and monitor her movements into and out of their then-home. Advertisement Sentencing Barry on Friday, Judge Martin Nolan said it was a 'close run thing' but he had decided not to jail Barry. He said he made this decision to give Barry a chance due to mitigating factors, including his previous good record. 'If you harass your wife or in any way make her life miserable, you'll be brought back to this court and you won't escape that time,' the judge told Barry. He told Barry: 'Your behaviour was disgraceful' and 'You have a lot to make up for.' He handed down a three-year sentence and suspended it on a number of conditions. Advertisement The court heard that after their relationship ended in early 2022 and Barry had left their home, he continued to use a Ring doorbell camera to monitor the house. He accessed it 32 times in one day, the court was told. The injured party later removed it. Garda Ciara Larkin told Emer Ní Chúagáin BL, prosecuting, that the couple were married for 17 years, but are now separated. The victim made a complaint to gardaí in late 2022. She outlined a pattern of coercive control in the final years of the relationship. Advertisement She said it began with Barry calling her names, and using abusive language towards her. Threatening behaviour He also used threatening behaviour, including raising his fist, or leaning forward as if to headbutt her, though he did not follow through on these threats. Barry would be verbally abusive in some situations including if he wasn't happy with meals or considered the house untidy. When the injured party expressed concerns, Barry told her to 'fuck off, no one was listening'. She told gardaí she felt embarrassed and humiliated when Barry made remarks in front of others. Advertisement While working from home during the Covid-19 pandemic, Barry would observe the woman's movements into and out of the house from an upstairs window. The woman started a new job during the period of Barry's offending. She told gardaí that Barry was pleased about the extra income for the household, but unhappy she was working. Barry berated her for issues that arose while she was working. He also kicked the dishwasher if it wasn't empty and threw meals on the floor or in the bin if he wasn't happy with them. Physical violence Gda Larkin outlined four specific instances of physical violence by Barry towards his then-wife between 2019 and 2022. In the first incident, Barry threw a toilet roll at the victim while they were in the kitchen. It hit her eye and she had a mark afterwards. She was crying and in shock afterwards. Separately, Barry threw a TV remote at her, hitting her collarbone. She got a fright and left the room crying. In another incident, Barry - who had been drinking - pushed an office chair into her back, while she was cleaning on the floor in a bedroom. The injured party suffering bruising and pain. Another incident of violence occurred around Christmas 2021, when Barry jabbed his fingers into the injured party's spine, after being verbally abusive and aggressive towards her. Barry would be apologetic for a time after each of these incidents, before resuming his previous behaviour, Gda Larkin said. The woman had to ask Barry's permission to leave the house to meet her sister and he would often become verbally abusive. The court heard evidence that on multiple occasions, Barry asked her 'what's in it for me' as an attempt to exchange sex for permission to leave the house. The injured party told gardaí she consented to sex in these situations, but felt it was a way to placate him when he didn't want her to leave the house. A victim impact statement was provided to the court and not read aloud. Barry was voluntarily interviewed by gardaí in July 2023, and denied the allegations of coercive control. He told gardaí he was 'not a perfect husband' but added that he 'hadn't done anything to warrant being in a garda station'. He said he had 'never laid a finger' on the injured party. When asked about the specific instances of physical violence, Barry described them as accidents. He admitted calling the woman names during arguments, saying she was antagonising him. He called himself as a 'victim' who was 'being provoked' by the injured party. Gda Larkin agreed with Silvia-Maria Crowley BL, defending, that her client co-operated with the investigation. Ms Crowley put it to the garda that the couple were in financial difficulties at the time. Gda Larkin said she was not aware of this, but noted that the couple's financial liabilities were in Barry's name. It was also accepted that Barry has not come to recent negative garda attention. Ireland Thief who faked her own death faces risk assessmen... Read More Ms Crowley asked the court to take into account her client's very early guilty pleas, remorse, shame and acceptance of responsibility. Several letters and other documents were handed to the court. Barry works as a senior software engineer. Ms Crowley said her client was under financial stress and worried about a debt of around €85,000. He repaid €30,000 over a five-year period as part of personal insolvency arrangement. Her client did not recognise his actions at the time as coercive control, but now realises his behaviour was 'intolerable', counsel said.
