Proposal for new off-licence on O’Connell Street ‘isn’t going to change the area’, says TD

The proposed development will consist of Circle K on O’Connell Street Upper changing from retail use, to retail use including the sale of alcohol for consumption off the premises (i.e. off-licence use).

Green Party TD Neasa Hourigan said she believes O’Connell Street should have “a good mix of functions”.

“I do care a lot about O’Connell Street, we had a really good redesign of O’Connell Street a couple of decades ago, a very good project,” she said.

“But you can see that the social issues overrode a really well designed street in terms of dereliction.

“I do care in terms of having a good mix of functions that makes it used throughout the day, have passive surveillance and make people feel safe.

“I think the reality is, alcohol is available for purchase in supermarkets and newsagents very easily now.

“One planning permission either way isn’t going to change that. The mapping in the planning permission as to where you can buy alcohol doesn’t seem to be fully accurate which might affect it,” she told the Irish Independent.

The Dublin Central representative said while there are worries for the street, demonising people isn’t right.

“In the last week, I’m really worried and concerned to see people, including politicians, making a direct link to people inhabiting the street and what we saw last week.

“That is not fair, it’s demonising people in poverty and those in addiction. I’ve three kids in a primary school in the inner city, there is a worry about safety, but making a direct link isn’t fair.

“There’s a huge amount of street sleeping in the inner city because of the lack of services. There are a lot of addiction services in the city which means we have people suffering from addiction on the streets.

“We should be ambitious for O’Connell Street, it’s a really beautiful main street of Europe. We should be ambitious in terms of a mix of uses, the inhibition of the street and that it be safe.

“One off-licence isn’t really going to impact that. The link between people in addiction or access to alcohol, and the events of the last few weeks isn’t fair,” she added.

Meanwhile, north inner city councillor Ray McAdam added his beliefs saying: “O’Connell Street does not need any more off-licences. Period.

“I do not support this application currently before the Planning Department of Dublin City Council and I will be lodging an objection before the December 20 deadline,” he said.