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Quinn's pub in Drumcondra ceased trading in January 2020 Google Maps

Landmark Quinn's pub building saved from Cork developer's wrecking ball

The appeals board refused planning permission, saying the building “makes a positive contribution to the streetscape character and identity of the area”.

THE LANDMARK QUINN’S pub in Drumcondra in Dublin, popular with GAA fans heading to Croke Park over the years, has been saved from the developer’s wrecking ball.

Cork-based firm Discipulo Developments Ltd had plans to demolish 42 to 44 Drumcondra Road, including the former Quinn’s pub, to make way for a five-storey ‘build to rent’ apartment scheme.

Along with the 50 ‘build to rent’ apartments made up of 11 studio units, 33 one-bedroom units and six two-bedroom units, the proposal also included plans for three ground floor commercial units, including a bookmakers.

However, the plan is not now to proceed after the appeals board refused planning permission after concluding that the former Quinn’s pub building “makes a positive contribution to the streetscape character and identity of the area”.

The board ruled that the demolition of the building “would result in the loss of a historic Victorian building and would detract from the built heritage of the area”.

The board stated that inadequate justification has been provided for the demolition of the remaining structures and shopfronts on the site.

In a further ground for refusal, the board stated that the scheme, a predominantly four to five-storey building of excessive scale, would be incongruous in terms of its form and design and would not create an appropriate interface with the public realm at street level.

As a result, the board ruled that the scheme would seriously injure the visual amenities and character of the area.

Quinn’s pub ceased trading in January 2020 and the decision upholds a refusal made by Dublin City Council (DCC) on 1 April 2021.

‘Cultural interest’ 

Recommending a DCC refusal last year, Executive Architectural Conservation Officer with the Council, Niamh Kiernan stated that Quinn’s pub is of cultural interest “and the building should be considered to be of significance due to its importance to GAA sports fans across the country who would have used Quinns as a landmark and a meeting point prior to and following national GAA matches at the nearby Croke Park”.

In its appeal, Discipulo contended that the buildings currently do not make a positive contribution to the streetscape and no concerns were raised about demolition at pre-planning stage.

The firm put forward a revised scheme and the Discipulo appeal also contended that part of the Conservation Officer’s rationale for retention of the Quinn’s building “appears to be based on its significance to GAA fans, which is a regrettable priority amid a national housing crisis”.

The appeal stated that DCC has granted permission for the demolition of other older, more prominent public houses, including Howl at the Moon in Mount Street Lower and Kiely’s in Donnybrook.

The Iona and District Residents’ Association was one of a number of parties to object to the scheme.

The initial application in February 2021 came one year after fund provider, BlackBee Investments, purchased the pub. The pub was formerly owned by the bankrupt billionaire Seán Quinn and, since his downfall, the pub had been run on behalf of the liquidators of the collapsed Anglo Irish Bank.

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    Mute David Fenton
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    Nov 26th 2012, 4:42 PM

    It might be worth people’s while reading up a little on card skimming machines. If you have some idea of what to look for you can protect yourself to some degree. However, it’s always best to avoid using machines in poorly lit and poorly serviced areas and always check your statements regularly. Here’s a bunch of articles with pictures to give you an idea of what’s out there. http://krebsonsecurity.com/all-about-skimmers/

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    Mute PunchUinFACE
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    Nov 26th 2012, 5:29 PM

    Best tip is to simply always place your hand directly over keypad when entering PIN. PIN is key, while your card details maybe compromised without PIN bank cannot hold you liable for CNP payments which is all they can do without PIN

    22
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    Mute Sean Hyland
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    Nov 26th 2012, 5:42 PM

    The best tip would be to re introduce border controls on eastern block countries and stop criminal gangs moving in. Bulgaria borders open 2014 roll up all in!

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    Mute Johnny Gobstock
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    Nov 26th 2012, 10:14 PM

    exactly Sean, we never had this crap until they opened the borders to them

    25
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    Mute john mack
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    Nov 27th 2012, 7:15 AM

    Would have to second the website http://krebsonsecurity.com very informative, one point to note is if you see skimming device or notice any unusual device don’t use machine, don’t try to remove device yourself, the gang that installed it normally wait nearby to prevent people from removing their Skimmers and cameras mostly with a bit if force.

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    Mute Fussy Galore
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    Nov 26th 2012, 9:37 PM

    I was recently scammed by one of these CIE vending machines – I was charged €2.80 for a single journey from Tara street to Lansdowne. People need to be vigilant.

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    Mute ITS Student
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    Nov 26th 2012, 4:19 PM

    Anyone who uses a credit card nowadays must love paying €40 stamp duty even if they use their card just once. The best advice I can offer is for people to use cash instead of credit cards. Cash is quicker and easier.

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    Mute PunchUinFACE
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    Nov 26th 2012, 4:36 PM

    i agree but i have awful problems sending cash down the internet, just won;t fit into the socket ;)

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    Mute ITS Student
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    Nov 26th 2012, 4:50 PM

    Why not use a Debit Card instead?

    or Paypal?

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    Mute siobeli
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    Nov 26th 2012, 4:56 PM

    Very smug suggestion!! So how do I access my cash if I’m paid into the bank if I don’t use a cash machine to get it, as work during banking hours?
    Why should people have to suit criminals?

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    Mute Declan Noonan
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    Nov 26th 2012, 5:01 PM

    People do get mugged as well!

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    Mute Bilbo Baggins
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    Nov 27th 2012, 3:00 AM

    Debit cards now cost per transaction with most banks so over the year they’ll work out a lot more expensive than a credit card.
    not all online retailers use PayPal your fairly stuck tryin to pay motor tax online with a hand full of coppers…

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    Mute Donal Rafferty
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    Nov 26th 2012, 4:10 PM

    Do you have to put your pin in those machines now? It’s been awhile but the last time I used one I just put my card in and out without putting in a PIN.

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    Mute Redmond Scanlon
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    Nov 26th 2012, 4:51 PM

    Yeah you have to put your pin in now.

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    Mute Neil McAuley
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    Nov 26th 2012, 4:53 PM

    Donal I’m pretty certain that the system where u could enter a bank card without entering a PIN is no longer on place. I used do that also. Best way to avoid this scam is to book in advance ( to avail of a better fare) and enter the reference number that they email u or use cash.

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    Mute PunchUinFACE
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    Nov 26th 2012, 5:02 PM

    siobeli,

    In fairness to ITS student, his comment is around the govt asking for a cashless society and then penalising people for this.

    My comment was an attempt at humour, i know i know, don’t give up the day job.

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    Mute fizi_water
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    Nov 26th 2012, 8:31 PM

    They can skimm my card what they want, there are usually only 3-4 days every month they would be able to take anything substantial from me (yes…after pay day lol). Any other day they might be welcomed with message “we are sorry there are no sufficient funds in your account to complete transaction, would you like to try another amount? “. See how smart way to cheat the cheaters :)

    But for all other minted people, why dont you get 2nd laser card just for carring around with small limit, separate to your main bank account with planty of money?

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    Mute Mac Ready
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    Nov 26th 2012, 6:32 PM

    Another scam currently doing the rounds certainly in Dublin city centre is where ATM user puts their card in enters their pin selects amount to withdraw card should come back out of card reader but appears to be stuck there is usually someone standing over your shoulder taking not of your PIN number and will advise u that the card has been eaten and you need to go into the branch when you move off they will remove the card trapping device and your card and clear your account

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    Mute Johnny Gobstock
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    Nov 26th 2012, 10:13 PM

    best tip to do there is ‘don’t move off”, just stand there and wait. do as it says on the warning sign, call the garda for assistance, just stand there and wait. that will make them sweat.

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    Mute mick lennon
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    Nov 26th 2012, 10:47 PM

    Im blaming the bankers for this too

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    Mute Lorraine Chambers
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    Nov 26th 2012, 6:07 PM

    Pay online from home and get a Leap card which can be used for the bus, train and Luas. One can top it up at most local shops.

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    Mute Bilbo Baggins
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    Nov 27th 2012, 3:03 AM

    If you live in Dublin….

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    Mute Robin Pickering
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    Nov 27th 2012, 5:10 AM

    Talk about dumb criminals! Don’t they realise that after paying the cost of a trip on public transport, only a tiny few would have anything left to steal?

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