Suspended PSNI/RUC officer suspected of sharing further suicide images of a separate second victim!

A second family has told the BBCNI that a police officer already on suspension for is believed to have tried to share images of a dead man.

   Jim Lennon was 46-year-old when he                           died in 2012. 

Jim Lennon took his own life in 2012.

                    27th July, 2022. 

His family said the Police Ombudsman told them in 2017 that an officer was being investigated for allegedly taking images of his body from the PSNI database.

It is understood it is the same officer who was suspended on full pay for five years as part of an investigation into 11 separate but related incidents.

It is understood it is the same officer who was suspended on full pay for five years as part of an investigation into 11 separate but related incidents.

The Lennon family said they were told the police officer also tried to pass the images on to a colleague.

No charges have been brought against the officer, but a file has been sent to the Public Prosecution Service (PPS).

The PPS said the case was under consideration by a senior public prosecutor.

Earlier this month, it emerged that two Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) officers had been investigated for more than three years over allegations they manipulated the body of a person who died by suicide and shared photos and a video online.

One of the those officers was suspended while the Police Ombudsman investigated.

     Jim's sister Deirdre said she has lost                       faith in the PSNI/RUC 

Jim Lennon took his own life on 24 July 2012. He was 46.

His family said he was "the life and soul of the party who loved singing and racing his pigeons".

His sister, Deirdre Lennon, told BBC News NI: "His suicide broke our family, we were absolutely devastated."

She said their grief had turned to horror.

"Jim's death for us was a complete shock - we couldn't come to terms with the fact that he had taken his own life," she said,

"And then for this to happen. We just couldn't believe it.

"It is just sick. Why would anyone do this to another human?"

     The Lennon family said Jim's death             came as a complete shock. IMAGE                   SOURCE, LENNON FAMILY 

Ms Lennon said she kept the Police Ombudsman investigation a secret from most of her family for years.

"Me and my brother shielded it from the rest of the family," she added.

"I just couldn't tell them. It was just too awful.

"My only sister never knew, she died last year and never knew. It was so bad for us that I was trying to keep her safe."

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"These are officers we are supposed to trust. Not a chance would I ring the cops now. No chance. I have no faith in them. How are you supposed to?" she said.

"We are just devastated. It has been a hard five years. We couldn't tell anyone. But I can't do it no more. I just want justice for my brother."

The Police Ombudsman said it had "conducted a criminal investigation and sent a file of evidence to the PPS. It is for the PPS to determine if officers under investigations should face prosecution".

In a statement, the PPS said it had received an investigation file on 23 March from the Police Ombudsman "in respect of a range of potential offences including misconduct in a public office, harassment, offences contrary to the Data Protection Act and the Computer Misuse Act and theft".

It continued: "The file is under consideration by a senior public prosecutor and we are obtaining the advices of senior counsel. Decisions will issue in due course after a thorough consideration of all available evidence."

It has now emerged that the police officer involved in these allegations has now been dismissed from the service by the chief constable as a result of a separate misconduct incident.

It has now emerged that the police officer involved in these allegations has now been dismissed from the service by the chief constable as a result of a separate misconduct incident. 

Former Police Ombudsman Nuala O'Loan told the BBC the case was "beyond belief". 

"How did this happen? Where was the management? What was going on?" she said. 

"I can't think how it could have taken five years, with a man on full pay, to come to the conclusion that this is not an officer who should be serving with the PSNI. 

"This is a shocking waste of public money and it undermines confidence in policing." 

SDLP Policing Board member Sinéad McLaughlin said further allegations about PSNI/RUC officers sharing images of suicide victims was "extremely concerning". 

"We need to clarify if there have been further incidents of this nature and what steps the PSNI/RUC are taking to address the concerns raised as a result," she said. 

"Any failure to properly deal with the situation will put public confidence in our police service at risk," she added. 

Sinn Féin MLA Gerry Kelly, who also sits on the Policing Board, said the reports were "deeply disturbing and shocking". 

"I have spoken to the Chief Constable Simon Byrne and he has agreed to meet to discuss these very serious issues," he said. 

"This is a matter of public confidence in the police and it must be transparent, accountable and fair," he added. 

With many thanks to: BBC News NI and Kelly Bonner for the original publication. 

Follow these links to find out more on this story: 'They'll always be the RUC to me'! pictures believed to have been taken of a suicide victim by PSNI/RUC officers, which were later shared contained graphic and sectarian content

Public 'need answers' about allegations concerning PSNI officer who shared images of second man who took his own life

'They'll always be the RUC to me'! pictures believed to have been taken of a suicide victim by PSNI/RUC officers, which were later shared contained graphic and sectarian content

Suspended officer suspected of sharing more suicide images

Gerry Kelly accuses NI Secretary of State Shailesh Vara of helping police 'cover up' Noah Donohoe's death

.    Noah Donohoe, 14, was found dead           and naked in a storm drain in north           Belfast in June 2020, six days after             he went missing. 

                     July 28th, 2022. 

The North of Ireland’s new Secretary of State has been accused of helping police “conceal” information about the death of schoolboy Noah Donohoe.

Sinn Fein MLA Gerry Kelly said it is “deeply concerning” that one of Shailesh Vara’s first acts since taking office was signing off a Public Interest Immunity (PII) certificate.

A copy of the letter sent by Sinn Féin First Minister-Designate Michelle O’Neill to British Secretary of State Shailesh Vara. 

The certificate would cover what the PSNI described as a "limited amount" of material in three police evidence folders.

Policing Board member Mr Kelly is calling on the PSNI/RUC to withdraw the application provide full transparency about its probe into what happened to the 14-year-old.

Noah’s naked body was found in a Belfast storm drain, six days after being reported missing in June 2020. It raised questions around the initial police operation.

“One of the first actions of the new British Secretary of State, who has only been office for a number of weeks is signing off an application for the PSNI to conceal information related to the Noah Donohoe case,” Mr Kelly said.

“This is deeply concerning and I am again calling on the PSNI to withdraw this application, because the Donohoe family deserve answers, not secrecy and cover up.”

   MLA and Policing Board member Gerry                               Kelly 

The north Belfast representative said the PII certificates have only one purpose.

“They were and are extensively used to hold back information in conflict legacy cases,” Mr Kelly added.

“This inquest is about the death of a 14-year-old child.

“It is not conflict related.

“We will continue to stand with the Donohoe family in their campaign for truth, transparency and accountability.”

       Release The Noah Donohoe Files 

At a pre-inquest review hearing before coroner Joe McCrisken late last year, a lawyer representing the police insisted a PII application is not an unusual occurrence and is a common feature of many inquests.

The inquest is scheduled to begin on November 28. 

Donal Lunny QC said police would likely be seeking PII on a “limited amount” of material in three police evidence folders.

“It is important to remember that PII applications are a not infrequent occurrence in inquests of all types, and they occur for various reasons, including most commonly to protect police methodology,” he told Mr McCrisken.

In a statement on Thursday, Assistant Chief Constable Mark McEwan said: “The Police Service of Northern Ireland submitted an application for Public Interest Immunity (PII) to the Secretary of State in June 2022.

“As always, the Coroner will continue to have full sight of all material in this case and he will have the final decision on PII.”

The Northern Ireland Office has been asked for a response to the comments. 

With many thanks to the: Belfast Telegraph and Brett Campbell for the original publication. 

Follow these links to find out more on this story: SHAME ON YOU - British Secretary of State signs PII to withhold information into the suspicious death of Noah Donohoe

NI Secretary Shailesh Vara backs Rishi Sunak in leadership race

Gerry Kelly accuses NI Secretary Shailesh Vara of helping police 'cover-up' Noah Donohoe's death

Council survey shows support for new dual language street sign policy in Belfast

Those strongly in favour of the changes ranged from 56 to 62 percent

       A consultation survey has shown                majority support for new dual                language street sign policy in Belfast -       (Sráid Uí Bhriosáin - Bryson Street) 

                    28th July, 2022. 

Belfast City Council has published a report of a consultation on proposed changes to its dual language street signs policy, and conclusions reached in the accompanying Equality Impact Assessment.

At this month’s full council meeting councillors agreed the controversial new policy to “go live” - 18 months after the policy was originally agreed in the chamber. Sinn Féin, Alliance, the SDLP, the Green Party, and the People Before Profit Party all support the new street sign policy, while the three unionist parties voted against it.

. Loyalist sectarian hatred spray-painted     on the shutters of a Chinese takeaway 

The new policy means at least one resident of any Belfast street, or a councillor, is all that is required to trigger a consultation on a second nameplate, with 15 percent in favour being sufficient to erect the sign.

Up until now, the policy required 33.3 percent of the eligible electorate in any Belfast street to sign a petition to begin the process, and 66.6 percent to agree to the new dual language sign on the street. Non-responses will no longer be counted as “against” votes, and there will be an equality assessment for each application.

  The writing is on the wall! - NO IRISH       STREET NAME SIGNS IN THIS AREA! -                 NO TAIGS IN OUR AREA! 

The public consultation was available online between November last year and February this year. There were 1,078 written responses - 785 in the English language version and 293 in the Irish language version.

Of the 854 respondents who answered the community background question, 297 people (37.8 percent) identified as having a protestant background, 276 people (35.1 percent) identified as having a catholic background, and 213 people (27.1 percent) identified as being neither catholic nor protestant. Responses were received from each postcode in Belfast, with the largest number of responses coming from North and West Belfast.

The combined total of responses were in favour of four proposed changes to the policy where respondents were asked to express agreement or disagreement.

Change to the application method for dual language street signs found 59 percent strongly agreeing, 0.9 percent neither agreeing or disagreeing, and 40.1 percent strongly disagreeing. Change to the threshold for agreeing to dual language street signs found 58.7 percent strongly agreeing, 0.6 percent neither agreeing or disagreeing, and 40.7 percent strongly disagreeing.

Change to the threshold for agreeing to dual language street signs found 58.7 percent strongly agreeing, 0.6 percent neither agreeing or disagreeing, and 40.7 percent strongly disagreeing. Changes to how non-responses are classified found 62 percent strongly agreeing, 3 percent neither agreeing or disagreeing, and 35 percent strongly disagreeing.

   Unionism is still living under the illusion     that Irish citizens in the North are still          under the boot of the British. Those           days have long gone. With the signing        of the Good Friday Agreement we all          stand as equal under British law and                       the Irish Constitution. 

The report states : “Officers analysed the written comments to determine themes in responses. The findings from this were that those who were broadly opposed to the proposed changes commented negatively on the cost and how the outworking of the proposed policy might be forced on communities by a minority, thereby causing division or tension.

“Those in favour of the proposed policy commented positively on how this would enhance the visibility of the Irish language and promote equality and inclusion. Respondents also noted how the proposed policy would be in keeping with best practice under the UN Special Rapporteur guidance.

    DUP's Dale Pankhurst knew unionists        would lose the Clifton Street/Orange            Hall battle so decided to erect an              Orange arch in defiance of Belfast              City Councils ruling on a duel Irish                   street sign at Clifton Street. 

The final report of the Equality Impact Assessment consultants states: “while the consultation has revealed a lack of consensus with regard to the proposed changes to the policy, and indeed has identified a strong division of opinion, there is nothing inherent in the feedback received to suggest that, at this time, the proposed changes should not now be adopted - but on the understanding that the policy should be subject to rigorous review after a period of two years.”

With many thanks to: Belfast Live and Michael Kenwood Local democracy reporter for the original publication. 

Follow these links to find out more on this story: Approval for Clifton Street Irish street sign beside Orange Hall granted by Belfast City Council

IRISH SIGNS REMOVAL 'being considered'

Council survey shows support for new dual language street sign policy in Belfast

Sam 'Skelly' McCrory: 'Security fear' at former UDA chief's funeral that is expected to take place in the North of Ireland

A source said: “The funeral needs to be quiet and dignified and no one wants trouble with former friends or enemies"

      Sam McCrory pictured posing with                               short firearm 

                     27th July, 2022. 

Former UDA chief Sam “Skelly” McCrory is expected to be laid to rest in Northern Ireland.

The 57-year-old, who had been exiled to Scotland following a bloody loyalist feud, was found dead in suspicious circumstances outside his flat in Ayr on Sunday.

A source said: “The funeral needs to be quiet and dignified and no one wants trouble with former friends or enemies.

“The arrangements aren’t in place yet but we hope his final resting place will be back home.”

Details of his private funeral service have not been released yet but the PSNI had discussions earlier this week about public security around it and the potential for trouble.

McCrory, a one-time leading member of the UFF C Coy, headed by Johnny “Mad Dog’ Adair, was both loved and loathed in his own community. Both men and other members of their faction fled Belfast in 2003 following a feud.

    Samuel 'Skelly' McCrory suffered from         addiction issues is in his later years 

McCrory, who served seven years in the Maze Prison in the 1990s, and the other exiles were under death threat if they returned to Northern Ireland.

A security source said: “McCrory was yesterday’s man for many years but his funeral is very much a present day

security consideration and discussions are underway over potential security detail for the day.

.     McCrory was at one time a leading           member of the UFF 'C' Coy 2nd Batt 

“That very much depends on who plans to attend it, including Adair.”

McCrory’s family was originally from the Oldpark area of North Belfast before they moved to the Shankill.

Aged 23, he was linked to the murder of Francisco Notarantonio who was shot dead by the UDA in October 1987.

   BUM CHUMS: Johnny 'Mad Dog' Adair          with Sam 'Skelly' McCrory pictured           here together in the Maze (Long Kesh)                      Prison in the 1990s.

In July 1992, he and “Fat” Jackie Thompson were caught in a security forces sting as they made their way to murder IRA leaders Brian Gillen and Martin Lynch.

At 6.50am while driving over Finaghy Railway Bridge in South Belfast, his path was blocked by a police car and as he tried to escape from a car with his gang, the Army opened fire.

A total of 33 rounds were fired by troops and the RUC that morning.

McCrory was found in possession of an AK47 assault rifle, Browning double barrel magazine, an SMG double magazine and a sledgehammer. He said he was “going on a military operation to eliminate high-level IRA targets”.

    Skelly spent much of his time whilst in                        prison at the gym 

McCrory was arrested and convicted of conspiracy to commit murder and possession of fire arms with intention to endanger life.

He was sentenced to 16 years in jail and was sent straight back to the loyalist wing at the Maze prison.

In 1998, with the nascent peace process in danger of collapsing with loyalists threatening to end their support and their ceasefire, McCrory met Secretary of State Mo Mowlam inside the Co Antrim jail.

With many thanks to: Belfast Live and Jilly Beattie for the original publication. 

Follow these links to find out more on this story: MAD DOG: DONALDSON'S 'HITMAN' TRIED TO 'TAKE ME OUT'!

Former UDA chief Sam 'Skelly' McCrory has been found dead in suspicious circumstances

Sam McCrory: 'Security fear' at former UDA chief's funeral that is expected to take place in the Nor

Man accused of secretly filming teenage stepdaughter in shower and sexually assaulting her friend refused bail

The man was refused bail due to the risk of him absconding.

   Any form of sexual abuse is very wrong 

                    July 26th, 2022. 

A Co Antrim man accused of secretly filming his teenage stepdaughter in the shower claimed he set up recordings to deal with his own body issues, the High Court heard.

The 37-year-old defendant, who cannot be named, also allegedly subjected her friend to sexual assaults while she was unconscious and in a hot tub.

Prosecutors said police are trying to identify another young boy whose image was discovered on the man’s phone.

He is charged with multiple counts of voyeurism, making and possessing indecent photographs, and sexual assault on dates between January 2020 and April 2022.

Police were contacted after his ex-partner’s daughter discovered pictures of her naked and in underwear on an old phone belonging to him, the court heard.

It then emerged that a mobile had been placed in a bathroom basket to covertly record the girl while she was having a shower, Crown lawyer Fiona O’Kane claimed.

During police interviews he admitted setting the phone up to record, but insisted it was due to his own personal body issues.

“He said he did it to look at himself, that he had forgotten to remove it and wasn’t aware the 16-year-old daughter would be using the shower next,” Mrs O’Kane said.

Separate footage allegedly shows the man touching one of her friends while she was naked.

“It’s quite evident the teenage girl was intoxicated and effectively unconscious and he has taken advantage of that to move her top out of the way, expose her breasts and then touch them,” counsel submitted.

Another charge involving the same girl relates to an incident at a house party.

The man tried to pull her towards his groin after she joined him in a hot tub without realising he was naked, the court heard.

Lady Chief Justice Dame Siobhan Keegan was told inquiries into the alleged offending are continuing.

“There is an ongoing attempt to identify a teenage boy in one of the photographs,” Mrs O’Kane confirmed.

Earlier this year the man was granted bail, but breached conditions by travelling to Australia.

Before leaving the UK he allegedly told his ex-partner that he was going to end his life.

Police believe this was an attempt to have him classified as missing presumed dead.

Opposing the man’s bid to be re-released from custody, Mrs O’Kane contended: “The concern is obviously there is a level of deception involved.”

Defence barrister Peter Coiley argued that a friend of his client had been invited him out to Australia at a time when he was expressing suicidal thoughts.

“He would deny he was fleeing from anything, he was simply trying to get away to get his head cleared for that period of time, but he was going to have to come back at some stage,” Mr Coiley insisted.

Refusing bail, however, Dame Siobhan said: “My issue is the risk of absconding in the light of the seriousness of the alleged offences.”

With many thanks to the: Belfast Telegraph and Alan Erwin for the original publication. 

Follow these links to find out more on this story: William Walker: DUP councillor arrested on suspicion of child sexual grooming will not be investigated by the local government watchdog

Huggy Wuggy warning as PSNI/RUC ask parents to speak to children about safety online.

Accused to stand trial over indecent images of children

Man accused of secretly filming teenage stepdaughter in shower and sexually assaulting her friend refused bail

DUP (unDemocratic Unionist Party) outrage a Garda car spotted in (Ireland) Co Tyrone

DUP have said questions have been asked why an Irish Police car has been spotted in Ireland. 

   DUP outrage after Irish Police car was                        spotted in Ireland 

                    July 28th, 2022. 

The DUP has demanded answers after a rogue Garda police vehicle was apparently spotted in Co Tyrone.

Councillor Maurice Devenney told Donegal Live that the Irish police vehicle was seen travelling into the North of Ireland on the Lurganboy Road near Castlederg in recent days.

The website reported that the PSNI was enquiring into the matter, while the Garda had declined to comment.

Mr Devenney said locals told him the car was at least two miles over the border.

"I have spoken to PSNI regarding it and they have informed me that if a car does cross into a different jurisdiction, there is a reporting mechanism if a mistake has been made,” he said.

"I can understand 100 yards or so when you realise you're not in your own territory but to be almost near Castlederg town, that's a long way from the border.

"I'm just raising concerns as to how this happened and what was the need for the Garda car to be in that area."

He added that it was important to clarify if a report had been made on the gardai “incursion” into Northern Ireland.

West Tyrone DUP MLA Tom Buchanan said he had also written to Garda Commissioner Drew Harris – a former PSNI Deputy Chief Constable – to provide a full explanation. 

     Garda Commissioner Drew Harris -              was the former PSNI/RUC Deputy                             Chief Constable 

"This incident needs to be fully investigated, as it was well within the border," he said. "I have written to the Garda Commissioner requesting a full investigation.

"These things must be fully investigated, and my colleagues on the Policing Board will be questioning the Chief Co nstable on this particular issue as well."

Inspector Robb, of the PSNI, told the Belfast Telegraph: “We are aware, and we are making enquiries.”

The Garda have been approached for comment. 

With many thanks to the: Belfast Telegraph and Allan Preston for the original publication. 

Follow this link to find out more information on this story: DUP outrage as garda car spotted in Co Tyrone

Sarah Everard: Man convicted without knowing for attending vigil

A man accused of breaking Covid-19 restrictions by attending a vigil for Sarah Everard says he heard of his conviction "from a news report".

    Sarah Everard was kidnapped, raped        and murdered by Metropolitan Police                   officer Wayne Couzens 

                   26th July, 2022. 

Kevin Godin-Prior, 68-year-old pensioner, from Manchester, told a court postal delays meant he was sent a notice of prosecution two days after the deadline to respond.

   FORMER: Prime Minister Boris Johnson                    Never Trust A Tory! 

He was convicted in his absence under the Single Justice Procedure on 1 June.

The conviction has now been dropped after an appeal against it and Mr Godin-Prior pleaded not guilty.

He is one of six people prosecuted by the Met Police following the event on 13 March last year.

◾Everard vigil attendee calls prosecution an insult

◾Met charges six Sarah Everard vigil attendees

A total of nine fixed penalty notices were issued following the vigil - two were paid and another dropped.

Hundreds attended an unofficial vigil for Ms Everard on Clapham Common in March 2021 after she was kidnapped, raped and murdered by then Met officer Wayne Couzens.

Mr Godin-Prior was accused of participating in a gathering of more than two people in a public outdoor place in a Tier 4 area in March 2021.

He, Dania Al-Obeid, 27, and Ben Wheeler, 21, both from London, were ordered to pay a £220 fine, £100 in court costs and a £34 victim surcharge at Westminster Magistrates' Court.

But Mr Godin-Prior appeared at the same court on Tuesday to make a statutory declaration - a way of appealing against a magistrates' conviction if it occurred without the defendant's knowledge.

     The Metropolitan Police was heavily          criticised for their policing of the vigil.                 IMAGE SOURCE, PA WIRE 

Appearing via video link, Mr Godin-Prior told the court that due to postal issues he received a notice of prosecution two days after the deadline to respond.

He added that a request to move the proceedings to a local court in Manchester due to his ill health, where he intended to plead not guilty, was not responded to by authorities.

"I am requesting it to be reopened because I had no opportunity to respond to my case," Mr Godin-Prior said.

Ben Stuttard, defending, said Mr Godin-Prior was "prosecuted without knowing it" and "convicted in absence".

Magistrate Dr Lynn Gailey tossed out the conviction, reopened the case and gave Mr Godin-Prior the opportunity to plea, to which he responded "not guilty".

Prosecutor Jen Gatland asked the court to list Mr Godin-Prior for trial on 14 to 16 November alongside Ms Al Obeid, while a case management hearing ahead of the trial was scheduled for 23 September at Westminster Magistrates' Court.

With many thanks to: BBC News London for the original story. 

Follow these links to find out more on this story: PSNI/RUC officers exchange sexist, pornographic and sectarian and racist messages, Spotlight reveals

Two PSNI/RUC officers arrested by anti-corruption unit

Suspended officer suspected of sharing more suicide images

Country planners object to Hammerson's 881-apartment plan for Dundrum

Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council says high density scheme not capable of delivering ‘anything approaching an appropriate mix of uses’ for the site

      Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County            Council has objected to Hammerson's           plans for 881 apartments on the              1970s-era Dublin shopping centre site.            Photograph: Matt Kavanagh

               Tuesday June 14th, 2022. 

Plans for a complex of almost 900 apartments on the site of the old shopping centre in Dundrum, including a 16-storey block, would “significantly detract” from the character of the area and should be refused, Dún Laoghaire Rathdown County Council has told An Bord Pleanála.

British property group Hammerson, which owns the Dundrum Town Centre, sought permission in April for the 11 block scheme. The complex of 881 apartments, along with cafés, restaurants, a crèche and some shops, is among the last major developments lodged under fast track Strategic Housing Development (SHD) process where applications for large schemes bypass the local authority planning system and are submitted directly to An Bord Pleanála.

  Sign the Petition - Save Moore Street

In a report totalling more than 120 pages the council’s planners have urged the board to reject Hammerson’s scheme which they said was in conflict with the county development plan in a number of respects and would not be in accord with the proper planning and sustainable development of the area.

It said there were “serious concerns” about the extent of the residential development which accounted for about 95 per cent of the use of the site. “It is the planning authority’s strong opinion that the subject proposal is not capable of delivering anything approaching an appropriate mix of uses,” it said.

The “inadequate type and extent of non-residential uses” proposed would make a “null contribution to the site fulfilling its role as a strategic employment location”.

The demolition of a number of buildings on Main Street, though not protected structures, would impact on the town’s Architectural Conservation Area (ACA) and had not been adequately justified, it said.

  Save Moore Street Concert 'Liberty Hall,    Dublin' Thursday 11th August - Tickets                                  €25

The provision of 82 three-bed apartments, 9 per cent of the total, “does not comprise a balanced mix” it argued, and this was particularly relevant in an area dominated by semidetached two-storey houses.

“It is necessary that adequately sized apartments capable of meeting family needs are delivered in sufficient amount to cater [for] the population needs. Otherwise existing predominant ideas of apartment living comprising only a stepping stone for younger and more transient cohorts of the population before moving on to low rise housing will continue.”

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     Moore StreetPreservation Trust

The living conditions for future residents were also a serious concern, with “high levels of active and passive overlooking” of apartments and “very poor levels of residential amenity”, the council said.

“The proposal comprises overdevelopment of the subject site” and the average height of 12 storeys along the Dundrum bypass side of the scheme would have an “oppressing and dominant effect”, the council said.

                   Follow this link: 

The Campaign to Save Moore Street Initiative

“Having regard to the proposed mix of uses and, in particular the low quantum of non-residential uses proposed, the planning authority is not satisfied that the proposed development adequately contributes to delivering a vibrant and multifunctional major town centre at Dundrum.”

Hammerson has said their plans are “fully in line with national policy and SHD planning requirements” and that the town had an “exceptionally low residential component at present”. There would be shops and other non-residential elements in the new development, the company said.

More than 700 objections to the scheme have been lodged with the board. A decision is due next month.

With many thanks to: The Irish Times and Olivia Kelly (Dublin Editor) The Irish Times  for the original publication. 

Follow these links to find out more on this story: SIGN THE PETITION - Save Moore Street From Demolition

Sinn Féin leader lodges appeal against third phase of €500m Dublin city centre project

Country planners object to Hammerson's 881-apartment plan for Dundrum

Sinn Féin leader lodges appeal against third phase of €500m Dublin city centre project

Latest stage of Hammerson scheme involves demolition of buildings and structures on Moore Street and Lane

    Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald          claimed the planning application fails         'to protect and preserve this area of          unique historical, architectural, social,          cultural and economic importance'. 

             Monday July 25, 2022. 

Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald has lodged a planning appeal against the third phase of Hammerson’s €500 million transformation plan for Dublin city centre.

Stephen Troy of Troy Family Butchers on Moore Street has already lodged an appeal against the Dublin City Council grant of permission last month to Hammerson subsidiary Dublin Central GP Ltd.

   Save Moore Street From Demolition

  Sign the Petition - Save Moore Street

In total, the planning board has now received nine third-party appeals against the Hammerson scheme, while t Dublin Central GP Ltd has lodged a first-party appeal against conditions attached to the permission.

Others to appeal include The 1916 Relatives Moore Street Initiative, Relatives of Signatories of the Proclamation, Moore Street Preservation and the Moore Street Traders along with several individual appeals.

The latest phase of the scheme involves demolition of buildings and structures at Moore Street and Moore Lane to accommodate a public plaza along with a mixed-use scheme in a six-storey building.

READ MORE: [ County planners object to Hammerson’s 881-apartment plan for Dundrum ]

  

The permission follows two other approvals earlier this year by the city council relating to other parts of the Dublin Central Project that involve 79 build-to-rent apartments and hotel, retail, restaurant, cafe as well as cultural uses.

Ms McDonald and several others have lodged appeals against the other two grants of permission to the appeals board.

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In her objection against the third phase, she claimed that the proposed development “will erase for all time Moore Street’s unique plot grains and courtyards which give this site its historic core differentiating it from other competing locations nationally and internationally”. She further noted that “Moore Street, famed for its street market traditions and 1916 Rising connections, is Dublin’s historic core and as such provides the city’s uniqueness in terms of a tourist offering and a sustainable, socially just and economically vibrant regeneration opportunity for the north inner city”.

The Sinn Féin leader claimed that the planning application fails “to protect and preserve this area of unique historical, architectural, social, cultural and economic importance”

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Concerning the latest phase, the Dublin City Council planning report — which recommended permission —

stated that the proposal “would secure the regeneration of a brownfield site in a city centre location for office and café/restaurant space, providing frontage to a new public space”.

The city council said the scheme “would ensure a more active frontage to O’Rahilly Parade in keeping with its historic significance”.

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The local authority also stated that the proposed development, together with the development proposed on the adjoining site, which is the subject of an appeal to An Bord Pleanála “will complement the development of the adjacent National Monument as a commemorative centre for the 1916 Rising”.

A decision is due on the case in November. But as a consequence of the backlog in appeals, it is likely that a decision will not be made until 2023.

With many thanks to: The Irish Times and Gordon Deegan Contributor to The Irish Times for the original publication. 

Follow these links to find out more on this story: Sign the Petition - Save Moore Street From Demolition

Sinn Féin leader lodges appeal against third phase of €500m Dublin city centre project

Country planners object to Hammerson's 881-apartment plan for Dundrum