Courts / Dublin / Report

Challenge to city homeless hostel opens before High Court

Date
2017-01-18
Stage
Hearing Or Decision
Primary locality
Dublin
County
Dublin

Summary

A High Court hearing before Mr Justice Donald Binchy has opened regarding a challenge to Dublin City Council's decision to convert the former Parish Centre at Carman's Hall, Francis Street, into a homeless hostel. The applicants, comprising Carman's Hall Community Interest Group, Michael Mallin House Residents Association, and Elizabeth O'Connor, allege that the Council's October 28 decision authorising the change of use is unlawful and breaches planning laws. They seek an order quashing this decision, arguing the process was conducted without adequate public consultation and that the area is over-saturated with such facilities. The Council opposes the action, stating the facility addresses a humanitarian crisis and rejecting claims of contravention of the City Development Plan. Fr Dolan, representing the Catholic Community, submitted that the building was never a community centre and that the parish unanimously supported leasing it to house rough sleepers. The hearing is currently ongoing, with the matter not yet finalised.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Challenge to city homeless hostel opens before High Court. Procedural stage: hearing_or_decision

When:

Why: DCC did this because it knew there would be public opposition to the facility, counsel said. CNI source report

Case subjects

Carman's Hall

Applicant

Catholic Community

Applicant

Elizabeth O'Connor

Applicant

Fr Dolan

Applicant

Places mentioned

Secondary Mention
Court Venue
  • High Court
Address Area
  • Francis Street
Residence
Facility
  • Michael Mallin House

Topics

Stage Hearing Or Decision

Related court reports

Read the original CNI report

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