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Updated at 5.55pm
GARDAÍ HAVE ARRIVED at the scene of a protest over the imminent closure of a homeless hostel in Dublin’s south inner city.
John’s Lane West hostel – which contains 42 beds for homeless people – is due to close its doors today to be redeveloped into more long-term accommodation for homeless people.
The building – which is owned by Focus Ireland and operated by it and the Peter McVerry Trust – was opened in winter 2014 as part of the crisis response to the issue of homelessness in Dublin following the death of Jonathan Corrie outside the Dáil.
Housing activists from the group An Spréach protested outside the building today – which sits just off Thomas Street close to the National College of Art and Design – while a number of residents are still inside.
Arriving at the scene a short while ago, gardaí in a van are stationed outside the building but have not taken any action to remove protesting residents.
It is understood that negotiations between Focus Ireland and residents situated inside the building are ongoing.
Speaking to TheJournal.ie by phone from inside the building, Rosemary Hughes – who has been resident at the hostel for three months – said that she would not be leaving until she was given a guarantee of further accommodation.
“I’m not going anywhere until this is sorted,” she said.
Hughes – who is visually impaired and has a guide dog – said that she is remaining in her room with another resident. She said there were about 15 other residents inside the building doing the same thing.
Things are a bit tense here at the moment.
In a statement, Focus Ireland said that a number of people who had stayed in the hostel last night had refused to leave the premises this morning until they were told where they could stay tonight.
“The staff in the premises have now confirmed alternative accommodation tonight for all of these people,” said Focus.
It also said that protesters who “were not using the service” had now entered the building and that residents who have accommodation confirmed for tonight are also still refusing to leave.
“Focus Ireland staff are now working to resolve this situation with the customers and the outside protesters so that the development work on the building can progress as quickly as possible,” the organisation said.
Long-term housing
Activists from An Spréach were protesting outside the hostel building this morning with signs and placards.
Speaking to TheJournal.ie, Laurence Vize, a representative from the group, said that they were there to support the residents.
“42 people are being put out on the street by the closure of this hostel.” said Vize.
Vize said that there were “two issues” being raised by the closure: the situation of the residents in there now and the issue of the wider homeless crisis in general.
“Even if these people here do get accommodated tonight there’s still 42 other people who will have no accommodation if this building closes,” he said.
Development
Focus Ireland said last month that it would be closing the hostel, which is located in a former factory building.
The building is scheduled to be demolished and replaced by a development of 31 apartments for the long-term accommodation of people who are homeless.
“The use of the building as emergency accommodation was always understood by the DRHE and the voluntary sector partners as a short-term measure to make best use of the premises until the scheduled building work began,” the organisation said.
It also said that planning permission for the site requires that the new apartments be completed by the end of 2017.
The start of July is the latest date for the redevelopment project to begin to ensure the much needed homes are provided by the end of next year as required.
An Spréach activists said this morning that they would march later to Focus Ireland headquarters to protest against the closure.
“Peaceful occupation”
Rosemary Hughes told TheJournal.ie this morning that no proper alternative accommodation had been sourced for residents.
“There is currently a peaceful occupation of the hostel underway,” said Hughes.
There are currently about 15 to 20 people here who don’t want to leave.
Hughes said that she would refuse to leave the hostel until a suitable alternative was offered.
“We want suitable accommodation, we want respect… and to be treated like human beings,” she said.
A spokesperson for the Dublin Regional Homeless Executive – which manages homless services for Dublin City Council - told TheJournal.ie that alternative accommodation for people at John’s Lane ”has and continues to be secured” and that planning permissoin to re-develop the site would run out expire by next year.
“Alternative accommodation for the people currently using the service has and continues to be secured with Dublin City Council Homeless Central Placement Service and the providers Focus Ireland, Peter McVerry Trust.
There have been long-term plans for this building and the service provided at Johns Lane West was an interim provision.
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And here we have another scaremongering climate zealot trying to spread unnecessary panic,
Thankfully the average working person pays no attention to such people.
@Edward O’T.: The average working person is probably too busy dealing with their own personal problems to realise that this will affect them aswell but I wouldn’t take it upon myself to speak for us all. As for your first sentence, I think you may need to do a little research on what is actually happening to our little sphere and its atmosphere before going on about scaremongering and zealotry.
@Diarmuid Hunt: it’s climate cult ideology at it finest or maybe at it’s worst,
@Diarmuid Hunt: anything Edward and his ilk are unwilling to face the reality of because they can’t handle adversity = ‘Scaremongering’.
@Setanta O’Toole: I have handled more adversity in a long life since the fifties than you I am fairly sure, my list is long.
And over that time this climate you are whining about has changed little to over that time.
Here’s an opinion, open the comments sections again. Closed on every second article, even the recent one about Twitter “not engaging” with garda. Too right because today it’s riots in dublin, tomorrow its your rights been eroded and not allowing any opposition views to be heard just because the state tell them.
@Daniel Murray: Those making nasty comments can be blamed for the loss of comments
In essence, we are the carbon they want to reduce…
The Journal is an absolute joke. Struggling to put into words how pathetic the editors are. I genuinely feel pity to those who think they’re being journalists, you’re all being fooled. The rag reeks of propaganda, bias and flat out lies by word and ommision.
We see you for what you are. A vile machination of the corruption that is poisoning Ireland from the top down. Delete my comment all you like, the truth of my words will remain. Disgraceful carry on, how do you sleep at night with the shame of it?
@Ross O’: and instead of uninstalling the app you make multiple profiles and act like some sort of victim
@Martin Mongan: I’d normally ask you to provide a shred of evidence to support your claim, but I’ll save you the bother by saying everything about what you said is wrong.
@Peter Murray: Imagine missing the mark so much you think that’s what I’m really angry about.
@Ross O’: spot on Ross…and god forbid actually opening comments on something people actually want to talk about such as blatant genocide in 2024 for fear of shattering the image portrayed to the public though the editors prism. They are very exposed on this and we can see them clearly now for what they are.
Being able to buy credits is a bit of a joke as these countries emitting the most just pay it and do nothing. We can do everything humanly possible on our little island and it wont make much impact we’ll still endure the consequences of what’s coming
@Lydia Mcloughlin: only benefits the rich people – same people who are advocating for a social credit system that would make Winnie the Pooh blush.
Conmen
Organise
Pissup
Number 28
“80% of Irish people are in favour of cutting our climate-changing pollution by at least 51% by 2030: with 50% of people actually saying we should do more than that.”… So what’s the plan?… oh, nothing. Bravo
@Thesaltyurchin: Who did they ask lmao put up a ballot box at Davos?
@Thesaltyurchin: what % said they like to pay for the reduction?
@P. V. Aglue: Its a quote from the article where I’m highlighting the lack of ideas for the progress of our threadbare infrastructures. It’s my bad for assuming that people read the article tho, lol. (but yea, Irish people will chant ‘lock them up’ but then flee when the bill arrives).
population increase means more emmissions.
@Damian Moylan: sssh. ..Don’t mention the elephant in the room.
It’s all over…
@Gerry Dornan: the solution is in the article………. more money
@Ken Mc Carthy: It kind of is … According to Bill Gates on YouTube.
Search for Listen carefully
Be nice
Utter bull . It was 2 degrees warmer in Roman times. It’s thought the cooling led to reduced crop yields and more arid conditions. AD 1000 and grapes were grown in the UK. Vikings in Greenland and Newfoundland. Only left when it got colder.
Watch towers , and covert activities by AGS on O’Connell street would be a move in the right direction . They could even put members on patrol on the streets and in the housing estates!
have your say