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FROM THE OUTSIDE the Barricade Inn is an unassuming building on a similarly nondescript part of the capital’s Parnell Street.
Surrounded by a mixture of traditional Dublin pubs and modern Asian eateries, the stretch provides an unlikely home for Ireland’s best known Anarchist social centre.
But inside, the disused space which occupies the site of the former Neary’s hotel, is used to house people, fundraising events, educational classes and even a bike repair workshop.
But the future is uncertain for the Barricade Inn collective after the owners of the building, which has been vacated for over a decade, decided to seek a High Court injunction in a bid to put the young activists out on the street.
The High Court case against the group was adjourned last week but the legal battle continues in front of a judge on Wednesday.
Speaking on behalf of the Barricade Inn collective Ferdia O’Brien has branded the decision to evict the group a ‘disgrace’.
“People are extremely frustrated by this decision,” he told TheJournal.ie.
“Aside from acting as a social centre, the building provides a home to anything from 10 to 20 people who now will have nowhere to go.
“Given the fact that the city is already facing a homeless crisis, this is extremely upsetting.”
Aside from providing a safe place for some of the city’s homeless, the centre also plays host to a vegan cafe and holds regular educational classes for a donation fee.
“When we found the building it had fallen into disrepair but we fixed it up and made it useful for people again.
As a group we put a huge amount of effort, time and money into improving the space and now looks like we are going to lose it.All we want to do is put this disused space to good use and make the city a better place.
As the legal row rumbles on the Barricade collective have released an official statement outlining the the group’s objectives and concerns:
“As well as a social centre, the Barricade is many people’s home, people who are threatened with homelessness if this injunction is granted,” it reads.
“But we want more than just a roof above our heads, we want homes for everybody. We want an end to rent hikes and property speculation, and a truly free public space in the city for people to gather.
“We want a society based on freedom and solidarity, and will keep fighting for that no matter what.”
So far the building’s owners have refused to specify what a post-Barricade future would mean for the premises.
But O’Brien is suspicious about what the property owners are willing to provide for the city centre community.
“The building lay untouched for the past 13 years and ultimately fell into a state of disrepair,” he said.
There are rumours that the owners may wish to sell it but it seems odd that they would sell it now despite hanging onto the premises throughout the property boom.
In court the owners claim that they want us out for our own safety but that is complete nonsense as we’ve improved the standards of the building since we moved in.
The Barricade Inn is just one of a growing number of squatted premises in the capital, with similar setups existing in other cities such as Galway and Cork.
There is currently no specific law criminalising squatting in Ireland but squatters are sometimes brought before the court on other charges including trespassing.
Activists claim that the spaces are necessary to tackle the country’s growing housing shortage and provide a preferred alternative to vacant and derelict buildings.
Homeless
Latest figures from the Dublin Regional Homeless Executive (DRHE) show that there are over 607 families in homeless accommodation in Dublin – more than double the same time last year.
Meanwhile charities estimate than there are more than 100 people sleeping rough on Dublin’s streets on any given night.
Despite the bleak outlook for the Barricade Inn, O’Brien believes that the squatting scene in Dublin is beginning to flourish.
“We’ve had people coming here from abroad to visit Dublin because they have heard that the squatting scene is starting to grow here.
I think what is most important is that we introduce squatting to a broader range of people. Thankfully the word is starting to get out and people are starting to take notice. Right now we have a situation where there are thousands of people without proper housing and yet we have thousands of empty properties. Squatting is a practical solution to tackle the country’s housing crisis.
Earlier this year, activists took over the site of the disused Bolton House homeless hostel which closed in 2011.
The group, which aimed to use the building to house those in need, were evicted by Dublin City Council just weeks later.
Meanwhile 30 squatting activists were also evicted from a site at Dublin’s Grangegorman this summer.
The group had used the site as a living space and social centre for more than a year before being evicted.
As for the future of the Barricade Inn?
“If we are evicted on Wednesday, there is no doubt that squatting in Dublin will continue and in one form or another – The Barricade Inn will be back.” O’Brien added.
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There should be a debate on immigration. It is being swept under the rug by mainstream media..
@Patrick Mulkerrin: and all the candidates who ran in June on the alleged immigration issue got less than 1% support.
@Johnny Wilson: that was local not national, different ballgame. Immigration issue is a massive issue and needs managing. Only fair to see what each party would do to improve on current dire situation before we vote.
@Mr “JonnieBoy” Johnson: obviously not if no one is bringing it up- except some Journal commentator- hardly representative of anyone
@Sean Hayes: do you not actually believe it’s an issue ?
@Sean Hayes: bad rage bait
@Patrick Mulkerrin: All have their heads buried in the sand, thousands still arriving weekly, it’s unsustainable as we don’t have the Housing or Public Services, it’s not going to end well, massive social division & anger on the ground. People understand Immigration & the need for a structured system, but what we have at present is a mess.
Yes we need to stop SF moving pedos to this country
@Patrick Mulkerrin: it’s pretty simple ” we are full”
I really don’t think the voting people of Ireland want to hear about sport in fairness
@James Carolan: what about casement park. I work hard and my taxes go to pay for a stadium up north. Really pisses me off.
@Alan: it’s not though. Btw, it’s a drop in the ocean compared to the amount of funding Ireland already provides to the north, which you’re clearly unaware of.
@James Carolan: Go to Oriel Park and tell me that
@Eoin .h: I’m talking about what might happen. Would rather see the money going into school sports facilities. Let commercial enterprises take care of themselves. As for GAA, dont get me started
@James Carolan: I do. For starters any politician who wants to spend our tax money to build a stadium in Northern Ireland wouldn’t get my vote
@Ger Whelan: wow, it’s that much of a red line issue for you? I doubt that’s been registered on the doors for the last two weeks
@James Carolan: Agreed. Sport is important to the lives of many people but realistically is not a national election issue.
@Social Guy: as an aside: can we have the old comment functionality back please? Getting bounced out of the comments when commenting is VERY annoying. The new format is very poor. There doesn’t seem to be any benefit to it.
Why waste a cent on nordies
@Social Guy: sport is more important than housing dole parasites
@Alan: That the GAA is a brilliant organisation that makes and saves millions for the irish exchequer.
I would like to ask them a couple of questions
Kilmore Celtic fc from Coolock founded in 1990 still have no facilities toilets etc we have 14 teams underage girls boys 18 boys 17 girls senior men’s team we really need all weather facilities badly which would be used seven days a week keeping kids out of trouble FAI have a lot to answer for they do nothing shocking
How come bohemian fc can come into Coolock and take over Oscar Traynor road development centre when lease clearly states local needs non profit all councillors and TD were well aware of this and done nothing for local clubs kids need sports so bad
Seriously like we don’t have enough problems to be worried about who is going to maintain the football pitches
@thanks for the beautiful music christy rest in pea: Go to Oriel Park park anx come back to me
They’ll debate about sports but not on the issues that actually matter, like immigrations, taxes and the national debt. Maybe because none of the parties have any sort of answer to those issues in question.
Jesus wept
Bread and circuses
Fantastic idea, put it on a channel that isn’t free to air
Wouldn’t it be more useful for the electorate to know the identity of the alleged Russian spy referred to as Cobalt if he/she is running for the Dail.
Wouldn’t it also be more useful to the electorate to know the identity of the person allegedly standing for election, but not for any party, who allegedly is/was under investigation by the Gardai for allegedly assaulting her/his/their sister, an assault that allegedly involved hair pulling.
A debate to deflect from the real issues, Matt Cooper wont have a debate on issues like Immigration, Housing, Law & Order or Cost of Living, too close to the Political classes. No clear lines of separation between Mainstream Media & Govt & the voice of the people is not being heard. Radical change needed, vote radically so we get rid of Govt & their media buddies.
Could be an interesting watch
Ireland holds its breath with anticipation
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