From top: Fine Gael Dublin City Councillor Kate O’Connell and a leaflet that was circulated in the Baggot Street area of Dublin in August 2013
The Irish Times reports this morning that Dublin City Council has approved plans to turn the former Longfield Hotel on Fitzwilliam Street into a homeless hostel.
It will be run by the Simon Community, which plans to close its Harcourt Street shelter once the hostel on Fitzwilliam Street is ready to be opened.
Olivia Kelly, in this morning’s Irish Times, reports:
“A report by city council chief executive Owen Keegan said the council received 63 submissions in relation to its plans to convert Longfield’s Hotel for use as a homeless hostel, one of which was “fully supportive”.
Several raised concerns about potential antisocial behaviour, and the safety of pedestrians and property owners. The “temptations” close to the location, including a “gambling casino”, public houses, nightclubs, and shops selling alcohol, were highlighted.”
Further to this…
Fine Gael Cllr Kate O’Connell just referred to homelessness as a “buzz issue” when opposing the location of a homeless facility
— Cllr Michael O’Brien (@mobrien1975) February 2, 2015
Ye may have heard @KateOConnell6‘s description at tonight’s @DubCityCouncil meeting: homelessness is the buzz word nowadays, all the rage. — Cllr. John Lyons (@JohnLyons2014) February 2, 2015
Alternatively…
Previously: Finally
Former Georgian hotel to be converted into homeless shelter (Olivia Kelly, Irish Times)
