Liam Coates

Ireland

Reporter at Cronkite News

Journalist at Freelance

Local Democracy Reporter with the Irish Independent focusing on Dublin. Get in touch: [email protected]

Articles

Dublin City Council housing complex conditions slammed as ‘Dickensian'

5 days ago | independent.ie | Liam Coates

Residents of Emmet Buildings in The Liberties have long complained of issues of pervasive dampness, mould and a lack of insulation in the complex, with knock-on impacts on their health and wellbeing. Speaking at the meeting, Sinn Féin councillor Daithí Doolan said the conditions facing the tenants were “dickensian”, while his colleague Ciarán Ó Meachair said the problems were broader than just Emmet Buildings.
How does Dublin ’s new AI city guide Brendan compare to a real walking tour? We tried them both out

5 days ago | independent.ie | Liam Coates

But if that odd and slightly concerning thought did cross your mind, then Dublin City Council has an answer. Introducing Brendan, the Dublin-flavoured, snood-donning twenty-something made of pure pixels and infused with pride in his beloved fair city. “It’s grand to see ya. Brendan here, and I’m absolutely buzzing to take you on a journey through my hometown,” he says, carp-eyed, when you select Dublin in the CityMe smartphone app.
South Dublin council urged to stop use of controversial weedkiller glyphosate

1 week ago | independent.ie | Liam Coates

A motion which seeks to ban the use of the controversial weedkiller by the council was passed yesterday at a special meeting of the authority. Glyphosate is used by the council and its contractors to control invasive plant species, along with weed control along footpaths and roads around the authority area.
‘Lit up like a Christmas tree’ - Calls for vape shop restrictions in south Dublin

1 week ago | independent.ie | Liam Coates

The motion, brought by Sinn Féin councillor William Casey, said that the “proliferation of vape shops" in the centre of villages and near schools was an “undesirable development” that should be tackled with a ban. During the Clondalkin, Newcastle, Rathcoole, Saggart and Brittas Area Committee meeting, Mr Casey said the growing number of vape shops were targeted at school-going children. "It’s our children that they’re aiming at.
Dublin City Council plans 38 new apartments for Drimnagh

1 week ago | independent.ie | Liam Coates

The new apartment block, designed by Proctor & Matthews Architects, was discussed at yesterday’s DCC South Central Area meeting and will be built on a site previously occupied by a funeral home. It will contain 10 one-bedroom, 22 two-bedroom and 6 three-bedroom units, and will include a playground and a shared garden for residents within a central courtyard. Planting within the courtyard space will also be native and support biodiversity, the council promises.
Dublin City Council guts scheme to turn vacant offices into social housing

1 week ago | independent.ie | Liam Coates

The scheme, launched in October 2022, promised to examine empty and unused buildings around the city and turn them into social housing units, but the number of projects under its remit has shrunk rapidly in recent months. In December last year, the adaptive reuse unit was progressing plans for 14 projects to deliver 125 social homes, but in an update given yesterday to councillors, Mick Mulhern, DCC head of housing, confirmed that only one of these was now moving ahead.
Dublin City Council axes scheme to turn vacant offices into social housing

1 week ago | independent.ie | Liam Coates

The scheme, launched in October 2022, promised to examine empty and unused buildings around the city and turn them into social housing units, but the number of projects under its remit has shrunk rapidly in recent months. In December last year, the adaptive reuse unit was progressing plans for 14 projects to deliver 125 social homes, but in an update given yesterday to councillors, Mick Mulhern, DCC head of housing, confirmed that only one of these was now moving ahead.
Dublin City Council built fewer than half the homes it was meant to over past three years

1 week ago | independent.ie | Liam Coates

For those years, 2,341 homes were delivered in the local authority area, equating to 49 per cent of the target of 4,800. The figures come from an update given to councillors by Mick Mulhern, DCC’s head of housing, at yesterday’s housing committee meeting, during which he conceded the recent performance of the authority on delivering homes had been “not great”.
Major upgrade of Dún Laoghaire Harbour including public baths unveiled

1 week ago | independent.ie | Liam Coates

The new draft master plan will divide the space into several quarters, emphasising different use cases for the harbour. At the core of the plan is the urban quarter, with St Michael’s Pier as its anchor, where the main space proposed is Pavilion Gardens. This includes lawns, planting, seating areas and space for events only a short walk from the Town Hall.
South Dublin County Council spent €150k on rebrand project

1 week ago | independent.ie | Liam Coates

In a response to Councillor Ronan McMahon, SDCC said that €151,475 excluding VAT was spent on a contract with Image Now Consultants, following a tender process. The authority said it was important to place the figure in the context of a review into its brand identity and reputation which it held last year. In the review, during which more than 1,000 people were consulted, the council found that SDCC residents “do not know what local authority area they live in and they find the name confusing”.